Display

ABSTRACT

To reduce disturbances in display of images due to static electricity without deteriorating optical properties in a display. The display includes a conductive pattern provided on the upper surface of the substrate, a protection layer provided on the upper surface of the substrate to cover the conductive pattern, and a conductive layer provided on the protection layer. The sheet resistance of the conductive pattern is not more than 8 Ω/square. A ratio of the total sum of areas of portions of the plurality of sub-pixels that overlap the conductive pattern in a plan view to the total sum of the areas of the plurality of sub-pixels is 1 to 22%. A sheet resistance of the conductive layer is higher than the sheet resistance of the conductive pattern.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/742,360 filed Jun. 17, 2015, which claimspriority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-125011 filed on Jun.18, 2014, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference intothis application.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a display, and particularly to adisplay including a liquid crystal layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Displays such as liquid crystal displays include, for instance, an arraysubstrate, an opposing substrate disposed to oppose the array substrate,and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the array substrate andthe opposing substrate. The array substrate or the opposing substrate isprovided with a light shielding portion having a lattice-like shape in aplan view, and a plurality of pixels are divided by the light shieldingportion. The array substrate is formed, for instance, with a thin filmtransistor (TFT) as a switching element.

In such a display, in each of the plurality of pixels, an electric fieldis formed in the liquid crystal layer, for instance, by applying voltagebetween pixel electrodes provided in each of the pixels and commonelectrodes provided in common for a plurality of pixels. With thisarrangement, each of the pixels performs display based on image data,and an image is displayed, for instance, on an outer side of theopposing substrate.

In such displays, some are provided with a conductive pattern on theopposing substrate on the opposite side of the array substrate forreducing disturbances in display of images upon application of staticelectricity.

For instance, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.H09-105918 (Patent Document 1) recites a technique in which a conductivelayer with translucency is formed on a surface on the opposite side of aliquid crystal layer of a transparent substrate on a farther side withrespect to a backlight unit of a liquid crystal display for preventingoccurrence of abnormalities of display upon application of highpotentials such as static electricity from the exterior of a surface ofa liquid crystal display panel.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.2012-63839 (Patent Document 2) recites a technique in which a displaywith touch detection functions is provided with touch detectingelectrodes provided on an opposing substrate and a conductive layerbeing either isolated from or connected to the touch detectingelectrodes at high resistance and being disposed to cover the touchdetecting electrodes for reducing disturbances of display also uponapplication of static electricity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the technique recited in the above Patent Literature 2, staticelectricity applied to the display with touch detection functions ismoved from the conductive layer to the touch detecting electrodes, andstatic electricity moved to the touch detecting electrodes is moved to agrounding line or the like of the display with touch detectionfunctions. In this manner, by providing a conductive layer or aconductive pattern such as touch detecting electrodes or the like on theopposing substrate, static electricity applied to the display can bedischarged to the exterior of the display through the conductive layeror the conductive pattern such as touch detecting electrodes or the likeprovided on the opposing substrate. Further, for easily dischargingstatic electricity to the exterior of the display, it is necessary toreduce a sheet resistance of the conductive pattern.

When the conductive pattern provided on such an opposing substrate iscomprised of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide(ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), it is necessary to increase thethickness of the conductive pattern or to increase an area ratio of theconductive pattern for reducing the sheet resistance of the conductivepattern. However, when either the thickness of the conductive pattern isincreased or the area ratio of the conductive pattern is increased, thetransmittance of the display is degraded, and optical properties of thedisplay are deteriorated. Accordingly, it is difficult to reducedisturbances in display of images caused through static electricitywithout deteriorating optical properties.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-describedproblems of the related art, and it is an object thereof to provide adisplay capable of reducing disturbances in display of images causedthrough static electricity without deteriorating optical properties.

The following is a brief description of an outline of the typicalinvention disclosed in the present application.

A display as an aspect of the present invention includes a firstsubstrate having a first main surface, a second substrate having asecond main surface and a third main surface on an opposite side of thesecond main surface and being disposed to oppose the first substratesuch that the second main surface and the first main surface of thefirst substrate oppose each other, and a liquid crystal layer interposedbetween the first main surface of the first substrate and the secondmain surface of the second substrate. The display also includes aplurality of pixels provided on the first main surface of the firstsubstrate, a plurality of first electrodes respectively provided in eachof the plurality of pixels on the first main surface of the firstsubstrate, and second electrodes provided on the first main surface ofthe first substrate. The display also includes a first conductivepattern provided on the third main surface of the second substrate, aprotection layer provided on the third main surface of the secondsubstrate to cover the first conductive pattern, and a conductive layerprovided on the protection layer. A sheet resistance of the firstconductive pattern is not more than 8 Ω/square. A ratio of a total sumof areas of portions of the plurality of pixels that overlap the firstconductive pattern in a plan view to a total sum of areas of theplurality of pixels is 1 to 22%. A sheet resistance of the conductivelayer is higher than the sheet resistance of the first conductivepattern.

Further, a display as an aspect of the present invention includes afirst substrate having a first main surface, a second substrate having asecond main surface and a third main surface on an opposite side of thesecond main surface and being disposed to oppose the first substratesuch that the second main surface and the first main surface of thefirst substrate oppose each other, and a liquid crystal layer interposedbetween the first main surface of the first substrate and the secondmain surface of the second substrate. The display also includes aplurality of pixels provided on the first main surface of the firstsubstrate, a plurality of first electrodes respectively provided in eachof the plurality of pixels on the first main surface of the firstsubstrate, and second electrodes provided on the first main surface ofthe first substrate. The display also includes a first conductivepattern provided on the third main surface of the second substrate, anda protection layer provided on the third main surface of the secondsubstrate to cover the first conductive pattern. A sheet resistance ofthe first conductive pattern is not more than 8 Ω/square. A ratio of atotal sum of areas of portions of the plurality of pixels that overlapthe first conductive pattern in a plan view to a total sum of areas ofthe plurality of pixels is 1 to 22%. A sheet resistance of theprotection layer is higher than the sheet resistance of the firstconductive pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one configuration example of a displayaccording to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a state of a finger which hascontacted or approached a touch detection device;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an example of an equivalentcircuit in a state of the finger which has contacted or approached thetouch detection device;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing examples of waveforms of driving signals anddetecting signals;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing one example of a module mounted with thedisplay according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a display device with touch detectionfunctions of the display according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a display device with touchdetection functions of the display according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one configuration example ofdriving electrodes and detecting electrodes of the display according tothe first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing one example of arelationship between positions of detecting electrodes and positions ofpixels in the display according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing another example of arelationship between positions of detecting electrodes and positions ofpixels in the display according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically showing one example of arelationship between positions of sub-pixels and positions of detectingelectrodes in the display according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a graph showing relationships between area ratio and detectedvalues in Table 1;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view schematically showing movements of staticelectricity in the display device with touch detection functions of thedisplay according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view schematically showing movements of staticelectricity in the display device with touch detection functions of thedisplay of Comparative Example 7;

FIG. 15 is a graph schematically showing relationships between sheetresistance of the conductive pattern and transmittance;

FIG. 16 is a graph schematically showing relationships between arearatio of the conductive pattern and transmittance;

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing one example of a module mounted with adisplay according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a display device with touchdetection functions of the display according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view schematically showing movements of staticelectricity in the display device with touch detection functions of thedisplay according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a display device with touchdetection functions of the display according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view schematically showing movements of staticelectricity in the display device with touch detection functions of thedisplay according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing an electrically connected stateof detecting electrodes of self-capacity method; and

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing an electrically connected stateof detecting electrodes of self-capacity method.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to drawings.

Note that the disclosures are provided by way of example, and anysuitable variations easily conceived by a person with ordinary skill inthe art while pertaining to the gist of the invention are of courseincluded in the scope of the present invention. Further, in thedrawings, widths, thicknesses and shapes of respective components may beschematically illustrated in comparison with the embodiments for thepurpose of making the description more clearly understood, but these aremerely examples, and do not limit the interpretations of the presentinvention.

Further, in the specification and drawings, elements which are similarto those already mentioned with respect to previous drawings are denotedby the same reference characters, and detailed descriptions thereof willbe suitably omitted.

Further, in some drawings used in the embodiments, hatching is omittedin some cases even in a cross-sectional view so as to make the drawingseasy to see. Still further, hatching is used in some cases even in aplan view so as to make the drawings easy to see.

Further, in the case where a range is indicated as A to B in thefollowing embodiment, it is assumed to be A or more and B or less exceptfor the cases where it is clearly indicated in particular.

First Embodiment

First, an example in which a display provided with a touch panel as aninput device is applied to a liquid crystal display with touch detectionfunctions of in cell type will be explained as the first embodiment. Inthe present descriptions, an input device is an input device detectingelectrostatic capacities which change at least depending on capacitiesof objects that approach or contact electrodes. Further, a liquidcrystal display with touch detection functions is a liquid crystaldisplay provided with detecting electrodes for touch detection on eitheran array substrate 2 or an opposing substrate 3 which form the display.Moreover, in the first embodiment, a display with touch detectionfunctions of in cell type characterized in that driving electrodesoperate as driving electrodes of the display and operate as drivingelectrodes of the input device will be described.

<Overall Configuration>

First, the overall configuration of the display of the first embodimentwill be explained with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagramshowing one configuration example of the display according to the firstembodiment.

The display 1 includes a display device with touch detection functions10, a control unit 11, a gate driver 12, a source driver 13, a drivingelectrode driver 14 and a touch detection unit 40.

The display device with touch detection functions 10 includes a displaydevice 20 and a touch detection device 30. In the first embodiment, thedisplay device 20 is a display device using liquid crystal displayelements as display elements. Accordingly, the display device 20 mightalso be referred to as a liquid crystal display device 20 in thefollowing descriptions. The touch detection device 30 is a touchdetection device of electrostatic capacity method, namely a touchdetection device of electrostatic capacity type. Therefore, the display1 is a display including an input device with touch detection functions.The display device with touch detection functions 10 is a display devicein which the liquid crystal display device 20 and the touch detectiondevice 30 are integrated, and is a display device incorporating touchdetection functions, namely, it is a display device with touch detectionfunctions of in cell type.

In this respect, the display device with touch detection functions 10might also be a display device in which the touch detection device 30 ismounted onto the display device 20.

The display device 20 performs display by sequentially performingscanning by each horizontal line in a display region in accordance withscanning signals Vscan supplied from the gate driver 12. The touchdetection device 30 operates based on a principle of electrostaticcapacity type touch detection as will be described later and outputsdetecting signals Vdet.

The control unit 11 is a circuit which supplies control signals to thegate driver 12, the source driver 13, the driving electrode driver 14and the touch detection unit 40, respectively, based on video signalsVdisp supplied from the exterior and which controls these members tooperate in sync with each other.

The gate driver 12 has a function of sequentially selecting a horizontalline which is an object of display driving of the display device withtouch detection functions 10 based on control signals supplied from thecontrol unit 11.

The source driver 13 is a circuit which supplies pixel signals Vpix tosub-pixels SPix (see FIG. 7 to be described later) included in thedisplay device with touch detection functions 10 based on controlsignals of image signals Vsig supplied from the control unit 11.

The driving electrode driver 14 is a circuit which supplies drivingsignals Vcom to driving electrodes COML (see FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 to bedescribed later) included in the display device with touch detectionfunctions 10 based on control signals supplied from the control unit 11.

The touch detection unit 40 is a circuit which detects presence/absenceof touch of the touch detection device 30 by an input tool such as afinger or a touch pen, namely a state of contact or approach to bedescribed later based on control signals supplied from the control unit11 and the detecting signals Vdet supplied from the touch detectiondevice 30 of the display device with touch detection functions 10. Thetouch detection unit 40 is a circuit which obtains coordinates of atouch detection region in the presence of a touch, namely an inputposition or the like. The touch detection unit 40 includes a touchdetection signal amplifying unit 42, an A/D (analog/digital) conversionunit 43, a signal processing unit 44, a coordinate extracting unit 45,and a detection timing control unit 46.

The touch detection signal amplifying unit 42 amplifies detectingsignals Vdet supplied from the touch detection device 30. The touchdetection signal amplifying unit 42 might also include a low pass analogfilter which removes high frequency components, namely noise components,included in detecting signals Vdet and which extracts and respectivelyoutputs touch components.

<Principle of Electrostatic Capacity Type Touch Detection>

A principle of touch detection in the display 1 according to the firstembodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. FIG. 2is an explanatory view showing a state of a finger which has contactedor approached the touch detection device. FIG. 3 is an explanatory viewshowing an example of an equivalent circuit in a state of the fingerwhich has contacted or approached the touch detection device. FIG. 4 isa diagram showing examples of waveforms of driving signals and detectingsignals.

As shown in FIG. 2, in electrostatic capacity type touch detection, aninput device referred to as a touch panel or a touch sensor includesdriving electrodes E1 and detecting electrodes E2 disposed to opposeeach other with a conductive body D interposed therebetween. Capacitiveelements C1 are formed by the driving electrodes E1 and the detectingelectrodes E2. As shown in FIG. 3, one ends of the capacitive elementsC1 are connected to an alternating signal source S which is a drivingsignal source while the other ends of the capacitive elements C1 areconnected to a voltage detector DET which is the touch detection unit.The voltage detector DET includes, for instance, an integrating circuitincluded in the touch detecting signal amplifying unit 42 shown in FIG.1.

When alternating rectangular waves Sg having, for instance, a frequencyin the range of several kHz to several hundreds of kHz are applied fromthe alternating signal source S to the one ends of the capacitiveelements C1, namely to the driving electrodes E1, detecting signals Vdetwhich are output waveforms are generated by means of voltage detectorDET connected to the other ends of the capacitive elements C1, namelythe detecting electrodes E2 side. In this respect, the alternatingrectangular waves Sg correspond to the driving signals Vcom which are,for instance, shown in FIG. 4.

In a state no finger has contacted or approached, namely in anon-contact state, current I₁ corresponding to the capacity value of thecapacitive elements C1 is made to flow in accordance with discharge andcharge of the capacitive elements C1 as shown in FIG. 3. The voltagedetector DET converts fluctuations in the current I₁ in accordance withthe alternating rectangular waves Sg into fluctuations in voltage. Thesevoltage fluctuations are shown as waveforms V₀ indicated by solid linesin FIG. 4.

On the other hand, in a state a finger has contacted or approached,namely in a contact state, the capacity value of the capacitive elementsC1 which are formed of the driving electrodes E1 and detectingelectrodes E2 becomes small being affected by the electrostatic capacityC2 which is formed by the finger. Accordingly, the current I₁ flowingthrough the capacitive elements C1 as shown in FIG. 3 fluctuates. Thevoltage detector DET converts fluctuations in the current I₁ inaccordance with the alternating rectangular waves Sg into fluctuationsin voltage. These voltage fluctuations are shown as waveforms V₁indicated by broken lines in FIG. 4. In this case, the amplitude ofwaveforms V₁ is smaller than that of the above-described waveforms V₀.With this arrangement, absolute values |ΔV| of voltage differencesbetween the waveforms V₀ and waveforms V₁ change in accordance withinfluences of an object such as a finger which approaches from theexterior. In this respect, in order to accurately detect absolute values|ΔV| of voltage differences between the waveforms V₀ and waveforms V₁,it is preferable that the voltage detector DET operates while providingperiods Reset during which discharge and charge of the condenser isreset to match frequencies of the alternating rectangular waves Sgthrough switching within the circuit.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the touch detection device 30 performstouch detection for each detection block corresponding to one or aplurality of driving electrodes COML (see FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 to bedescribed later) in accordance with driving signals Vcom which aresupplied from the driving electrode driver 14. Namely, the touchdetection device 30 outputs detecting signals Vdet by means of thevoltage detector DET shown in FIG. 3 for each detection blockcorresponding to each of the one or a plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML, and the output detecting signals Vdet are supplied tothe touch detection signal amplifying unit 42 of the touch detector unit40.

The A/D conversion unit 43 is a circuit which performs sampling ofrespective analog signals which are output from the touch detectionsignal amplifying unit 42 at timing which are in sync with the drivingsignals Vcom and converts them into digital signals.

The signal processing unit 44 includes a digital filter for reducingfrequency components other than frequencies of which the driving signalsVcom are sampled, namely noise components, included in the outputsignals of the A/D conversion unit 43. The signal processing unit 44 isa logic circuit which detects the presence/absence of touch with respectto the touch detection device 30 based on output signals of the A/Dconversion unit 43. The signal processing unit 44 performs processes ofextracting only differential voltages caused by the finger. Thedifferential voltages caused by the finger are the above-describedabsolute values |ΔV| of differences between the waveforms V₀ andwaveforms V₁. It is also possible that the signal processing unit 44performs calculations of averaging absolute values |ΔV| per eachdetection block to obtain average values of the absolute values |ΔV|.With this arrangement, the signal processing unit 44 can reduceinfluences of noise. The signal processing unit 44 compares the detecteddifferential voltage caused by the finger with a predetermined thresholdvoltage, and when the voltage is not less than the threshold voltage, itis determined that a contact state of an externally approaching objectapproaching from the exterior is present, and when it is less than thethreshold voltage, it is determined that a non-contact state of anexternally approaching object is present. In this manner, touchdetection is performed by the touch detection unit 40.

The coordinate extracting unit 45 is a logic circuit which obtainscoordinates of a position at which touch has been detected, namely aninput position on the touch panel upon detection of a touch by thesignal processing unit 44. The detection timing control unit 46 performscontrol such that the A/D conversion unit 43, the signal processing unit44 and the coordinate extracting unit 45 operate in sync with eachother. The coordinate extracting unit 45 outputs the touch panelcoordinates as signal outputs Vout.

<Module>

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing one example of a module mounted with thedisplay according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the display device with touch detection functions 10according to the first embodiment includes a substrate 21, a substrate31, a plurality of driving electrodes COML and a plurality of detectingelectrodes TDL. The substrate 31 includes an upper surface as one mainsurface and a lower surface as the other main surface on the oppositeside of the upper surface. Here, two directions which intersect witheach other and which are preferably orthogonal within the upper surfaceof the substrate 31 or within the lower surface of the substrate 31 aredefined as an X axis direction and a Y axis direction. At this time,each of the plurality of driving electrodes COML respectively extends inthe X axis direction and is aligned in the Y axis direction in a planview. Further, each of the plurality of detecting electrodes TDLrespectively extends in the Y axis direction and is aligned in the Xaxis direction in a plan view.

As it will be described using FIG. 7, each of the plurality of drivingelectrodes COML is provided to overlap a plurality of sub-pixels SPixaligned in the X axis direction in a plan view. Namely, one drivingelectrode COML is provided as a common electrode of the plurality ofsub-pixels SPix.

In this respect, in the present descriptions, the expression “in a planview” indicates that objects are seen from a direction perpendicular tothe upper surface as the main surface of the substrate 31 or thesubstrate 21.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the display device with touch detectionfunctions 10 has a rectangular shape including two sides respectivelyextending in the X axis direction and opposing each other in a plan viewand two sides respectively extending in the Y axis direction andopposing each other in a plan view. A terminal unit TM is provided onone side of the display device with touch detection functions 10 in theY axis direction. The terminal unit TM and each of the plurality ofdetecting electrodes TDL are electrically connected by means of routingwirings WRT, respectively. The terminal unit TM is electricallyconnected to a wiring substrate WS and the wiring substrate WS isconnected to the touch detection unit 40 (see FIG. 1) mounted to theexterior of the module. Accordingly, the detecting electrodes TDL areconnected to the touch detection unit 40 via the routing wirings WRT,the terminal unit TM and the wiring substrate WS.

The display device with touch detection functions 10 includes a COG 19.The COG 19 is a chip mounted on the substrate 21, and incorporatescircuits necessary for display operations such as the control unit 11,the gate driver 12 or the source driver 13 as shown in FIG. 1. The COG19 might also incorporate the driving electrode driver 14. Whiledetailed illustrations are omitted, the COG 19 and each of the pluralityof driving electrodes COML are electrically connected through routingwirings WRC.

In this respect, it is possible to use various substrates which aretransparent with respect to visible light such as a glass substrate or afilm made of resin as the substrate 21 or the substrate 31. In thepresent descriptions, the expression “transparent with respect tovisible light” indicates that the transmittance with respect to visiblelight is not less than, for instance, 90%, and the transmittance withrespect to visible light indicates an average value of transmittancewith respect to light having, for instance, a wavelength of 380 to 780nm. Further, the transmittance indicates a ratio of light which hastransmitted up to a surface on the opposite side of the rear surface ofthe display device with touch detection functions 10 in the displayregion Ad from among light which has been irradiated to the rear surfaceof the display device with touch detection functions 10 (see FIG. 6 tobe described later).

<Display Device with Touch Detection Functions>

Next, a configuration example of the display device with touch detectionfunctions 10 will be explained in details with reference to FIG. 5 toFIG. 8. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the display device with touchdetection functions of the display according to the first embodiment.FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the display device with touchdetection functions of the display according to the first embodiment.FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one configuration example of thedriving electrodes and the detecting electrodes of the display accordingto the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line A-A ofFIG. 5.

The display device with touch detection functions 10 includes the arraysubstrate 2, the opposing substrate 3, a polarizing plate 4, apolarizing plate 5, a liquid crystal layer 6 and a sealing portion 7.The opposing substrate 3 is disposed to oppose the array substrate 2such that the upper surface as the main surface of the array substrate 2and the lower surface as the main surface of the opposing substrate 3oppose each other. The polarizing plate 4 is provided on the oppositeside of the opposing substrate 3 with the array substrate 2 beinginterposed therebetween. The polarizing plate 5 is provided on theopposite side of the array substrate 2 with the opposing substrate 3being interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal layer 6 is providedbetween the array substrate 2 and the opposing substrate 3. Namely, theliquid crystal layer 6 is interposed between the upper surface of thesubstrate 21 and the lower surface of the substrate 31. The sealingportion 7 is provided between an outer peripheral portion of the arraysubstrate 2 and an outer peripheral portion of the opposing substrate 3,and a space between the array substrate 2 and the opposing substrate 3is sealed by the sealing portion at an outer peripheral portion of thisspace. Then, the liquid crystal layer 6 is included in the space whichouter peripheral portion is sealed by the sealing portion.

The array substrate 2 includes the substrate 21. The opposing substrate3 includes the substrate 31.

The substrate 31 includes an upper surface as one main surface and alower surface as the other main surface on the opposite side of theupper surface, and it is disposed to oppose the substrate 21 such thatthe upper surface as the main surface of the substrate 21 and the lowersurface as the main surface of the substrate 31 oppose each other. Theupper surface of the substrate 31 includes a display region Ad which isapart of the region on the upper surface and a peripheral region Aswhich is another region of the upper surface and which is a regionpositioned closer to an outer peripheral side of the substrate 21 thanthe display region Ad. Accordingly, the peripheral region As is a regionon the upper surface of the substrate 31 and is a region positionedcloser to an outer peripheral side of the substrate 31 than theperipheral region As. Alternatively, the display region Ad and theperipheral region As might be included on the lower surface as the othermain surface of the substrate 31.

Alternatively, the display region Ad and the peripheral region As mightbe included on the upper surface as one main surface of the substrate21. At this time, the substrate 21 includes an upper surface as one mainsurface and the upper surface of the substrate 21 includes a displayregion Ad and a peripheral region As which is a region positioned closerto the outer peripheral side of the substrate 21 than the display regionAd. Accordingly, the peripheral region As is a region on the uppersurface of the substrate 21 and is a region positioned closer to theouter peripheral side of the substrate 21 than the display region Ad.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the display region Ad, the substrate 21 is formedwith a plurality of scanning lines GCL, a plurality of signal lines SGLand a plurality of TFT elements Tr which are thin film transistors(TFT). In this respect, in FIG. 6, illustration of the scanning linesGCL, the signal lines SGL and the TFT elements TR is omitted. Further,the scanning lines indicate gate wirings and the signal lines indicatesource wirings.

As shown in FIG. 7, each of the plurality of scanning lines GCL extendsin the X axis direction and is aligned in the Y axis direction in thedisplay region Ad. Each of the plurality of signal lines SGL extends inthe Y axis direction and is aligned in the X axis direction in thedisplay region Ad. Accordingly, each of the plurality of signal linesSGL intersects the plurality of scanning lines GCL in a plan view. Inthis manner, sub-pixels SPix are disposed at intersections of theplurality of scanning lines GCL and the plurality of signal lines SGLintersecting with each other in a plan view and a single pixel Pix isformed by a plurality of sub-pixels SPix of different colors. Namely,the plurality of sub-pixels SPix are provided on the upper surface ofthe substrate 21 and are disposed within the display region Ad in a planview and aligned in a matrix-like form in the X axis direction and the Yaxis direction.

The TFT elements Tr are formed at intersecting portions at which each ofthe plurality of scanning lines GCL and each of the plurality of signallines SGL intersect with each other in a plan view. Accordingly, in thedisplay region Ad, the plurality of TFT elements Tr are formed on thesubstrate 21, and the plurality of TFT elements Tr are aligned in amatrix-like form in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction.Namely, each of the plurality of sub-pixels SPix is provided with a TFTelement Tr. In addition to the TFT elements Tr, each of the plurality ofsub-pixels SPix is provided with a liquid crystal element LC.

The TFT elements Tr are made up, for instance, of a thin film transistoras a MOS (metal oxide semiconductor) of n-channel type. Gate electrodesof the TFT elements Tr are connected to the scanning lines GCL. Eitherone of a source electrode or a drain electrode of the TFT element Tr isconnected to the scanning line GCL. The other one of the sourceelectrode or the drain electrode of the TFT element Tr is connected toone end of the liquid crystal element LC via a pixel electrode 22. Theliquid crystal element LC is arranged in that one end thereof isconnected to the drain electrode or the source electrode of the TFTelement TR while the other end is connected to the driving electrodeCOML.

As shown in FIG. 6, the array substrate 2 includes the substrate 21, theplurality of driving elements COML, an insulating film 24 and theplurality of pixel electrodes 22. The plurality of driving electrodesCOML are provided on the substrate 21 on the upper surface as one mainsurface of the substrate 21 within the display region Ad in a plan view.The insulating film 24 is formed on the upper surface of the substrate21 including surfaces of each of the plurality of driving electrodesCOML. In the display region Ad, the plurality of pixel electrodes 22 areformed on the insulating film 24. Accordingly, the insulating film 24electrically insulates the driving electrodes COML and the pixelelectrodes 22.

As shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of pixel electrodes 22 are formed ineach of the plurality of sub-pixels SPix aligned in a matrix-like formin the X axis direction and the Y axis direction within the displayregion Ad in a plan view. Accordingly, the plurality of pixel electrodes22 are aligned in a matrix-like form in the X axis direction and the Yaxis direction.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, each of the plurality of drivingelectrodes COML is formed between the substrate 21 and the pixelelectrodes 22. Further, as schematically shown in FIG. 7, each of theplurality of driving electrodes COML is provided to overlap theplurality of pixel electrodes 22 in a plan view. Then, by applyingvoltage between each of the plurality of pixel electrodes 22 and each ofthe plurality of driving electrodes COML such that an electric field isformed between each of the plurality of pixel electrodes 22 and each ofthe plurality of driving electrodes COML, namely at the liquid crystalelements LC provided in each of the plurality of sub-pixels SPix, animage is displayed in the display region Ad. At this time, a capacityCap is formed between the driving electrodes COML and the pixelelectrodes 22 and the capacity Cap functions as a retention volume.

In this manner, when the display device with touch detection functions10 includes the liquid crystal display device 20, a display control unitwhich controls display of images is formed by the liquid crystalelements LC, the plurality of pixel electrodes 22, the drivingelectrodes COML, the plurality of scanning lines GCL and the pluralityof signal lines SGL. The display control unit controls display of imagesin the display region Ad by controlling voltage applied between the eachof the pixel electrodes 22 and the driving electrodes COML. The displaycontrol unit is provided between the array substrate 2 and the opposingsubstrate 3.

In this respect, each of the respective driving electrodes COML mightalso be formed on the opposite side of the substrate 21 with the pixelelectrodes 22 being interposed therebetween. In the example shown inFIG. 6, the arrangement of the driving electrodes COML and the pixelelectrodes 22 is a FFS (Fringe Field Switching) mode as a horizontalfield mode in which the driving electrodes COML and the pixel electrodes22 overlap in a plan view. However, the arrangement might also be an IPS(In Plane Switching) mode as a horizontal field mode in which thedriving electrodes COML and the pixel electrodes 22 do not overlap in aplan view (the same applies for the second embodiment and the thirdembodiment).

The liquid crystal layer 6 is to demodulate light passing therethroughin accordance with states of the electric field, and a liquid crystallayer corresponding to the horizontal field mode such as theabove-described FFS mode or the IPS mode is used. Namely, a liquidcrystal device of the horizontal electric field mode such as the FFSmode or the IPS mode is used as the liquid crystal display device 20. Inthis respect, there might be respectively provided oriented filmsbetween the liquid crystal layer 6 and the array substrate 2 and betweenthe liquid crystal layer 6 and the opposing substrate 3 shown in FIG. 6(the same applies for the second embodiment and the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of sub-pixels SPix which are alignedin the X axis direction, namely the plurality of sub-pixels SPix whichbelong to the same row of the liquid crystal display device 20 areconnected to each other by means of the scanning lines GCL. The scanninglines GCL are connected to the gate driver 12 (see FIG. 1) and aresupplied with the scanning signals Vscan (see FIG. 1) by the gate driver12. Further, the plurality of sub-pixels SPix which are aligned in the Yaxis direction, namely the plurality of sub-pixels SPix which belong tothe same column of the liquid crystal display device 20 are connected toeach other by means of the signal lines SGL. The signal lines SGL areconnected to the source driver 13 (see FIG. 1) and are supplied withpixel signals Vpix (see FIG. 1) by the source driver 13.

The driving electrodes COML are connected to the driving electrodedriver 14 (see FIG. 5) and are supplied with driving signals Vcom (seeFIG. 1) by the driving electrode driver 14. That is, in the exampleshown in FIG. 7, the plurality of sub-pixels SPix which belong to thesame row share one driving electrode COML in common. The plurality ofdriving electrodes COML respectively extend in the X axis direction andare aligned in the Y axis direction in the display region Ad. Asdescribed above, since the plurality of scanning lines GCL respectivelyextend in the X axis direction and are aligned in the Y axis directionin the display region Ad, the direction each of the plurality of drivingelectrodes COML extends is parallel to the direction each of theplurality of scanning lines GCL extends. However, the direction each ofthe plurality of driving electrodes COML extends is not limited, and thedirection each of the plurality of driving electrodes COML extendsmight, for instance, be a direction which is parallel to the directioneach of the plurality of signal electrodes SGL extends.

The gate driver 12 as shown in FIG. 1 sequentially selects one row,namely one horizontal line, from among the sub-pixels SPix which areformed in a matrix-like form in the liquid crystal display device 20 asan object of display driving by applying scanning signals Vscan to thegate electrodes of the TFT elements Tr of each of the sub-pixels SPix bymeans of the scanning lines GCL shown in FIG. 7. The source driver 13shown in FIG. 1 supplies pixel signals Vpix to each of the plurality ofsub-pixels SPix which includes one horizontal line sequentially selectedby the gate driver 12 by means of the signal lines SGL shown in FIG. 7.Then, displays in accordance with supplied pixel signals Vpix are madeat the plurality of sub-pixels SPix which include one horizontal line.

The driving electrode driver 14 shown in FIG. 1 applies driving signalsVcom to drive the driving electrodes COML for each detection blockcorresponding to one or a plurality of driving electrodes COML.

In the liquid crystal display device 20, sub-pixels SPix aresequentially selected by each horizontal line by driving the gate driver12 to perform sequential scanning of the scanning lines GCL on timedivision basis. In the liquid crystal display device 20, the sourcedriver 13 supplies pixel signals Vpix to the sub-pixels SPix whichbelong to one horizontal line, and as a result, displays are made byeach horizontal line. In performing these display operations, thedriving electrode driver 14 applies driving signals Vcom to a detectionblock including the driving electrodes COML corresponding to thehorizontal line.

The driving electrodes COML of the display 1 according to the firstembodiment operate as driving electrodes of the liquid crystal displaydevice 20 and also operate as driving electrodes of the touch detectiondevice 30. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one configurationexample of the driving electrodes and the detecting electrodes of thedisplay according to the first embodiment.

The touch detection device 30 includes a plurality of driving electrodesCOML which are provided on the array substrate 2 and a plurality ofdetecting electrodes TDL which are provided on the opposing substrate 3.Each of the plurality of detecting electrodes TDL extends in thedirection which intersects with the direction each of the plurality ofdriving electrodes COML extends in a plan view. In other words, each ofthe plurality of detecting electrodes TDL is provided to intersect witheach of the plurality of driving electrodes COML at intervals withrespect to each other in a plan view. Further, each of the plurality ofdetecting electrodes TDL opposes the driving electrodes COML in adirection perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate 21included in the array substrate 2. In other words, each of the pluralityof driving electrodes COML is provided to overlap each of the pluralityof detecting electrodes TDL in a plan view. Further, each of theplurality of detecting electrodes TDL is respectively connected to thetouch detecting signal amplification unit 42 (see FIG. 1) of the touchdetection unit 40.

Electrostatic capacity is generated at intersecting portions of each ofthe plurality of driving electrodes COML and each of the plurality ofdetecting electrodes TDL in a plan view. Input positions are detectedbased on the electrostatic capacities between each of the plurality ofdriving electrodes COML and each of the plurality of detectingelectrodes TDL. Namely, a detection unit which detects input positions,namely an input device is formed by the electrode substrate such as thesubstrate 31 formed with the detecting electrodes TDL (see FIG. 6) andthe driving electrodes COML.

With such a configuration, when performing touch detection operations inthe touch detection device 30, the driver electrode driver 14sequentially selects one detection block corresponding to one or aplurality of driving electrodes COML in a scanning direction Scan. Then,in the selected detection block, the driver electrodes COML are inputwith driving signals Vcom for measuring the electrostatic capacitiesbetween the driving electrodes COML and the detecting electrodes TDL,and detecting signals Vdet are output from the detecting electrodes TDLfor detecting input positions. In this manner, the touch detectiondevice 30 is arranged in that touch detection is performed for eachdetection block. That is, one detection block corresponds to the drivingelectrodes E1 of the above-described touch detection principle, and thedetecting electrodes TDL correspond to the detecting electrodes E2.

In this respect, the range of the detection block at the time of displayoperations and the range of the detection block at the time of touchdetection operations might be either the same or different.

As shown in FIG. 8, the plurality of driving electrodes COML and theplurality of detecting electrodes TDL which intersect with each other ina plan view form an electrostatic capacity type touch sensor aligned ina matrix-like form. Accordingly, by scanning the entire touch detectionsurface of the touch detection device 30, it is possible to detectpositions which have been contacted or approached by a finger or thelike.

In this respect, the touch detection device 30 is not limited to thetouch detection device 30 of mutual capacity method provided with commonelectrodes which operate as driving electrodes and with detectingelectrodes. It is, for instance, possible to apply a touch detectiondevice 30 of self-capacity method provided with detecting electrodesonly as the touch detection device 30, as it will be explained usingFIG. 22 and FIG. 23 to be described later. In the self-capacity method,when the detecting electrodes TDL are disconnected from the detectioncircuit and are electrically connected to a power source, electriccharge is accumulated in the detecting electrodes TDL. Next, when thedetecting electrodes TDL are disconnected from the power source and areelectrically connected to the detecting circuit, electric charge flowingout to the detection circuit is detected. Namely, the detection unitdetects input positions based on respective electrostatic capacities ofthe plurality of detecting electrodes TDL.

Here, when a finger has contacted or approached the detecting electrodesTDL, electrostatic capacities of the detecting electrodes TDL change dueto the capacity of the finger, and when the detecting electrodes TDL areconnected to the detection circuit, the electric charge flowing out tothe detection circuit changes. Accordingly, it is possible to determinewhether a finger has contacted or approached the detecting electrodesTDL or not by measuring the electric charge flowing out by means of thedetection circuit and by detecting changes in electrostatic capacitiesof the detecting electrodes TDL.

As shown in FIG. 6, the opposing substrate 3 includes the substrate 31,a color filter layer 32, a conductive pattern CB1 and a protection layer33.

As described above, the substrate 31 includes the upper surface as themain surface and the lower surface as the main surface on the oppositeside of the upper surface. The color layer 32 is provided on the lowersurface of the substrate 31. The conductive pattern CB1 is provided onthe upper surface of the substrate 31. The conductive pattern CB1includes a plurality of detecting electrodes TDL as electrodes. Each ofthe plurality of detecting electrodes TDL is a detecting electrode ofthe touch detection device 30 (see FIG. 1) and is formed on the uppersurface of the substrate 31 within the display region Ad in a plan view.The protection layer 33 is provided on the upper surface of thesubstrate 31 to cover the plurality of detecting electrodes TDL.

For instance, a color filter layer colored in three colors of red (R),green (G) and blue (B) is aligned in the X axis direction as the colorfilter layer 32. With this arrangement, as shown in FIG. 7, a pluralityof sub-pixels SPix corresponding to each of color regions 32R, 32G and32B of the three colors of R, G and B is formed, and one pixel Pix isformed by the plurality of sub-pixels SPix corresponding to each of asingle group of the color regions 32R, 32G and 32B. The pixels Pix arealigned in a matrix-like form along the direction the scanning lines GCLextend (X axis direction) and the direction the signal lines SGL extend(Y axis direction). The region in which the pixels Pix are aligned in amatrix-like form is, for instance, the above-described display regionAd. In this respect, it is also possible that a dummy region providedwith dummy pixels is provided in the periphery of the display region Ad.

The combination of colors of the color filter layer 32 might be anothercombination of a plurality of colors including colors other than R, Gand B. It is also possible to provide no color filter layer 32 at all.Alternatively, one pixel Pix might include a sub-pixel SPix which is notprovided with the color filter layer 32, that is, a white-coloredsub-pixel SPix. It is also possible that the color filter layer isprovided on the substrate 2 through COA (color filter on array)technique.

The conductive pattern CB1 including a plurality of detecting electrodesTDL is made of a low resistance material having a lower specificresistance than a specific resistance of a transparent conductivematerial which is transparent with respect to visible light such as ITOor IZO. Further, the sheet resistance of the conductive pattern CB1 madeof the low resistance material is not more than 8 Ω/square. In thiscase, it is possible to discharge static electricity without thenecessity of increasing the thickness of the conductive pattern CB1 thatmuch when compared to a case the conductive pattern CB1 including theplurality of detecting electrodes TDL is made of a transparentconductive material such as ITO or IZO. Accordingly, it is possible toeasily discharge static electricity to the exterior of the displaydevice with touch detection functions 10 while preventing imagesdisplayed in the display region Ad from being colored yellow. In thisrespect, the unit of sheet resistance Ω/square is the same unit as Ω/□.

The sheet resistance of the conductive pattern CB1 is preferably notless than 0.04 Ω/square. When the sheet resistance of the conductivepattern CB1 is less than 0.04 Ω/square, it might happen that thethickness of the conductive pattern CB1 becomes too large.

While explanations will be made using FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and Table 1 to bedescribed later, the ratio of the total sum of areas of portions of theplurality of the sub-pixels SPix that overlap the conductive pattern CB1in a plan view to the total sum of the areas of the plurality ofsub-pixels SPix is 1 to 22%. With this arrangement, it is possible tomake the transmittance with respect to visible light be not less than90% and to improve an S/N ratio of detecting signals of touch detectionwhen the conductive pattern CB1 is used as detecting electrodes TDL.

The protection layer 33 has a larger thickness TH1 than the thicknessTH2 of the conductive pattern CB1. With this arrangement, it is possibleto cover the conductive pattern CB1 with the protection layer 33.Further, since the distance between each of the plurality of detectingelectrodes TDL included in the conductive pattern CB1 and the conductivelayer 52 will become larger, the capacity CP1 (see FIG. 13 to bedescribed later) between each of the plurality of detecting electrodesTDL and the conductive layer 52 will become small. Accordingly, it ispossible to reduce electric charge accumulated between each of theplurality of detecting electrodes TDL and the conductive layer 52 whenstatic electricity applied to the display 1 moves to the conductivelayer 52.

In this respect, the thickness TH1 of the protection layer 33 is not athickness of the protection layer 33 of a portion positioned on thedetecting electrodes TDL included in the conductive pattern CB1, butindicates a thickness of the protection layer 33 of portions other thanthe portion positioned on the detecting electrodes TDL such as thedistance between the upper surface of the substrate 31 and the uppersurface of the protection layer 33.

The polarizing plate 5 includes an adhesive layer 51, a conductive layer52, a cover layer 53, a polarizing layer 54 and a cover layer 55. Thepolarizing plate 5 is provided on the protection layer 33.

The polarizing layer 54 is a layer with polarizing functions. Thepolarizing layer 54 is made of an insulating film containing, forinstance, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a main component and is formedthrough absorption orientation of molecules of a compound containing,for instance, iodine to the PVA as the main component.

The cover layer 55 is formed on a surface of the polarizing layer 54opposite to the protection layer 33 side to cover the surface of thepolarizing layer 54 on the opposite side of the protection layer 33. Thecover layer 55 contains, for instance, triacetylcellulose (TAC) as amain component. In this respect, it is also possible that a hard coatlayer is formed on the cover layer 55 though not shown in the drawings.Further, the cover layer 53 is formed on the surface of the polarizinglayer 54 on the protection layer 33 side to cover the surface of theprotection layer 33 side. The cover layer 53 contains, for instance, TACas a main component similarly to the cover layer 55.

The conductive layer 52 is formed on the protection layer 33 side of thecover layer 53. The conductive layer 52 has conductive functions byforming a transparent organic conductive film with respect to visiblelight. As it will be explained using FIG. 13 to be described later, theconductive layer 52 reduces disturbances in display of images uponapplication of static electricity to the surface of the polarizing plate5. Alternatively, the conductive layer 52 prevents or restrictsdegradations in touch detection sensitivity upon application of staticelectricity to the surface of the polarizing plate 5.

The specific resistance of the conductive layer 52 is lower than thespecific resistance of the protection layer 33. Namely, the specificresistance of the protection layer 33 is higher than the specificresistance of the conductive layer 52. With this arrangement, electriccharge accumulated in the conductive layer 52 upon occurrence of staticelectricity and electrification of the conductive layer 52 can be easierdistributed evenly within the conductive layer 52.

The sheet resistance of the conductive layer 52 is higher than the sheetresistance of the conductive pattern CB1. With this arrangement, it ispossible to improve the S/N ratio of detecting signals Vdet.

The adhesive layer 51 is formed on the conductive layer 52 on theprotection layer 33 side. The adhesive layer 51 adheres the conductivelayer 52 of the polarizing plate 5 to the protection layer 33.

In this manner, the polarizing plate 5 includes a stacked film 56 inwhich a plurality of layers including the polarizing layer 54 made of aninsulating film and the conductive layer 52 with conductivity arestacked in some order. The stacked layer 56 is provided on theprotection layer 33 via the adhesive layer 51. In the example shown inFIG. 6, the conductive layer 52 is provided on the protection layer 33via the adhesive layer 51.

In this respect, it is also possible that the polarizing plate 5 doesnot include the conductive layer 52. At this time, it is possible that aconductive layer which is not included in the polarizing plate 5 isformed on the protection layer 33 instead of the conductive layer 52included in the polarizing plate 5.

<Shape and Arrangement of Detecting Electrodes>

Next, shapes and arrangements of the detecting electrodes will beexplained with reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. FIG. 9is a plan view schematically showing one example of a relationshipbetween positions of detecting electrodes and positions of pixels in thedisplay according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan viewschematically showing another example of a relationship betweenpositions of detecting electrodes and positions of pixels in the displayaccording to the first embodiment.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of pixels Pix are alignedin a matrix-like form in the X axis direction and the Y axis directionwithin the display region Ad. Each of the plurality of pixels Pixincludes a plurality of sub-pixels SPix aligned in the X axis direction.Accordingly, each of the plurality of sub-pixels SPix is aligned in amatrix-like form in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction withinthe display region Ad. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the pixels Pixinclude three types of sub-pixel SPix displaying each of the threecolors of R (red), G (green) and B (blue). Accordingly, the pixels Pixinclude a plurality of sub-pixels SPix respectively corresponding toeach of the color regions 32R, 32G and 32B of the three colors of R, Gand B. In this respect, the types of colors displayed by the sub-pixelsSPix are not limited to three types. For instance, the pixels Pix mightinclude four types of sub-pixels SPix displaying each of the four colorsof R (red), G (green), B (blue) and W (white).

The plurality of sub-pixels SPix are aligned in a matrix-like form alongthe direction the scanning lines GCL extend (X axis direction) and thedirection the signal lines SGL extend (Y axis direction). The scanninglines GCL and the signal lines SGL or light shielding portions BM1 andBM2 (see FIG. 11 to be described later) which are formed to cover thescanning lines GCL and the signal lines SGL restrict transmission oflight.

In the example shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 9, each of the plurality ofdetecting electrodes TDL includes three conductive lines ML. Theconductive lines ML have a zigzag form extending in the Y axis directionas a whole while alternately bending in opposite directions in a planview. The conductive lines ML are also aligned in the X axis directionin a plan view. With this arrangement, it is possible to prevent orrestrict that the pattern of the scanning lines GCL or the pattern ofthe signal lines SGL interferes with the pattern of the detectingelectrodes TDL and striped light and shade patterns such as moirepatterns are observed.

As described above, the conductive pattern CB1 is made of a lowresistance material having a specific resistance lower than the specificresistance of the transparent conductive material. Further, the sheetresistance of the conductive pattern CB1 made of a lower resistancematerial is not more than 8 Ω/square.

The conductive pattern CB1 preferably includes a metallic layer or analloy layer. Accordingly, each of the plurality of conductive lines MLincluded in the conductive pattern CB1 preferably includes a metalliclayer or an alloy layer as well. With this arrangement, since theconductivity of each of the plurality of conductive lines ML can beimproved, it is possible to improve the detection sensitivity or thedetection speed of the detecting electrodes TDL. It is further possibleto easily discharge static electricity applied from the exterior of thedisplay device with touch detection functions 10 through the conductivelines ML.

More preferably, each of the plurality of conductive lines ML includes ametallic layer or an alloy layer of one or more metal selected from agroup consisting of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), molybdenum(Mo), chrome (Cr) and tungsten (W). With this arrangement, since theconductivity of each of the plurality of conductive lines ML can beimproved, the detection sensitivity or the detection speed of thedetecting electrodes TDL is further improved. Static electricity appliedfrom the exterior of the display device with touch detection functions10 can be more easily discharged through the conductive lines ML.

Metal exhibits light shielding properties with respect to visible light.Here, the expression “exhibit light shielding properties with respect tovisible light” indicates that the transmittance with respect to visiblelight is, for instance, not more than 10%. Accordingly, thetransmittance with respect to visible light of each of the plurality ofconductive lines ML including a metallic layer or an alloy layer mightbe not more than 10%. As it will be described later, in the firstembodiment, the ratio of the total sum of areas of portions of theplurality of the sub-pixels SPix that overlap either the plurality ofdetecting electrodes TDL or the plurality of dummy electrodes TDD in aplan view to the total sum of the areas of the plurality of sub-pixelsSPix is 1 to 22%. In such a case, it is possible to make thetransmittance of the display region Ad as a whole, namely thetransmittance of the display 1 to be not less than 90% even if thetransmittance with respect to visible light of the plurality ofconductive lines ML themselves is not more than 10%.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of detecting electrodes TDLincludes connecting portions CNB1 and connecting portions CNT1. Theconnecting portions CNB1 electrically connect end portions of adjoiningconductive lines ML on one side (lower side in FIG. 5) in the Y axisdirection. The connecting portions CNT1 electrically connect endportions of adjoining conductive lines ML on an opposite side of the oneside (upper side in FIG. 5) in the Y axis direction. The connectingportions CNB1 are connected to the touch detection unit 40 shown in FIG.1 via the routing wirings WRT. Accordingly, the plurality of conductivelines ML which are included in the detecting electrodes TDL areconnected to the touch detection unit 40 shown in FIG. 1 via theconnecting portions CNB1 and the routing wirings WRT.

In this manner, each of the plurality of detecting electrodes TDL mayinclude a plurality of conductive lines ML which are aligned in the Xaxis direction and which are connected in parallel with each other.Since the electric resistance of the detecting electrodes TDL can bereduced with this arrangement, the detecting sensitivity or thedetecting speed when performing detection operations with the detectingelectrodes TDL can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 9, the conductive pattern CB1 preferably includes aplurality of detecting electrodes TDL and a plurality of dummyelectrodes TDD. Each of the plurality of dummy electrodes TDD isprovided, for instance, between two detecting electrodes TDL formedapart from each other. Each of the plurality of dummy electrodes TDD isformed such that conductive lines having a zigzag form extending in theY axis direction as a whole while alternately bending in oppositedirections in a plan view are cut and divided at respective bendingportions. With this arrangement, it is possible to prevent or restrictthat the pattern of the scanning lines GCL or the pattern of the signallines SGL interferes with the pattern of the dummy electrodes TDD andstriped light and shade patterns such as moire patterns are observed.

As described above, the conductive pattern CB1 is made of a lowresistance material having a specific resistance lower than the specificresistance of the transparent conductive material, and preferably, theconductive pattern CB1 includes a metallic layer or an alloy layer.Accordingly, each of the plurality of dummy electrodes TDD included inthe conductive pattern CB1 preferably includes a metallic layer or analloy layer as well. Namely, the dummy electrodes TDD might also includea metallic layer or an alloy layer of of the same type as the metalliclayer or the alloy layer included in the conductive lines ML.Accordingly, it is possible to prevent or restrict occurrence ofirregularities in brightness of the entire display region Ad caused bydummy electrodes TDD being formed in regions where no detectingelectrodes TDL with light shielding properties are formed, and it ispossible to prevent or restrict identification of detecting electrodesTDL.

On the other hand, also in the example shown in FIG. 10, the pluralityof pixels Pix are aligned in a matrix-like form in the X axis directionand the Y axis direction within the display region Ad similarly to theexample shown in FIG. 9. Further, the pixels Pix include a plurality ofsub-pixels SPix respectively corresponding to each of the color regions32R, 32G and 32B of the three colors of R (red), G (green) and B (blue).Accordingly, the plurality of sub-pixels SPix are aligned in amatrix-like form in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction withinthe display region Ad.

Also in the example shown in FIG. 10, the plurality of sub-pixels SPixare aligned in a matrix-like form along a direction the scanning linesGCL extend (X axis direction) and a direction the signal lines SGLextend (Y axis direction) similarly to the example shown in FIG. 9. Thescanning lines GCL and the signal lines SGL or light shielding portionsBM1 and BM2 which are formed to cover the scanning lines GCL and thesignal lines SGL (see FIG. 11 to be described later) restricttransmission of light.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, each of the plurality of detectingelectrodes TDL includes two conductive lines ML1 and two conductivelines ML2 and has a mesh-like shape. Each of the conductive lines ML1and the conductive lines ML2 has a zigzag form which extends in the Yaxis direction as a whole while alternately bending in oppositedirections in a plan view. The conductive lines ML1 and the conductivelines ML2 adjoin each other in the X axis direction. Further, portionsof the conductive lines ML1 and the conductive lines ML2 which adjoineach other in the X axis direction which are bent in mutually oppositedirections are coupled with each other. With this arrangement, it ispossible to prevent or restrict that the pattern of the scanning linesGCL or the pattern of the signal lines SGL interferes with the patternof the detecting electrodes TDL and striped light and shade patternssuch as moire patterns are observed.

The plurality of conductive lines ML1 and the plurality of conductivelines ML2 in the example shown in FIG. 10 might also include a metalliclayer or an alloy layer of the same type as the metallic layer or thealloy layer included in the conductive lines ML shown in the exampleshown in FIG. 9. Further, also in the example shown in FIG. 10, theplurality of conductive lines ML1 and the plurality of conductive linesML2 might be electrically connected by means of the connecting portionsCNB1 (see FIG. 5) and the connecting portions CNT1 (see FIG. 5)similarly to the example shown in FIG. 9.

Also in the example shown in FIG. 10, the display 1 according to thefirst embodiment includes a plurality of dummy electrodes TDD similarlyto the example shown in FIG. 9. Each of the plurality of dummyelectrodes TDD is provided, for instance, between two detectingelectrodes TDL formed apart from each other. Each of the plurality ofdummy electrodes TDD is formed such that conductive lines having azigzag form extending in the Y axis direction as a whole whilealternately bending in opposite directions in a plan view are cut anddivided at respective bending portions. With this arrangement, it ispossible to prevent or restrict that the pattern of the scanning linesGCL or the pattern of the signal lines SGL interferes with the patternof the dummy electrodes TDD and striped light and shade patterns such asmoire patterns are observed.

Also in the example shown in FIG. 10, the dummy electrodes TDD mightalso include a metallic layer or an alloy layer of the same type as themetallic layer or the alloy layer included in the conductive lines ML1and the conductive lines ML2 similarly to the example shown in FIG. 9.Accordingly, it is possible to prevent or restrict occurrence ofirregularities in brightness of the entire display region Ad caused bydummy electrodes TDD from being formed in regions where no detectingelectrodes TDL with light shielding properties are formed, and it ispossible to prevent or restrict identification of detecting electrodesTDL.

In this respect, the detecting electrodes TDL might also have a shape ofa pattern other than the zigzag shape or the mesh-like shape which hascertain regularly in its arrangement but of a pattern with noperiodicity at all and which can be filled. One example of such a shapemight be a pattern formed by linking atom positions of quasi-crystalshaving no translational symmetry defining crystals but with high ordersin the atom arrangement.

<Area Ratios of Detecting Electrodes and Dummy Electrodes>

FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically showing one example of arelationship between positions of sub-pixels and positions of detectingelectrodes in the display according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, sub-pixels SPix which overlap either one of theplurality of detecting electrodes TDL or the plurality dummy electrodesTDD in a plan view from among the sub-pixels SPix will be considered. Awidth of a sub-pixel SPix in the X axis direction is defined to be widthWD1 while a length of the sub-pixel SPix in the Y axis direction isdefined to be length LN1. The width WD1 of the sub-pixel SPix in the Xaxis direction is defined to be smaller than the length LN1 of thesub-pixel SPix in the Y axis direction. At this time, an area S1 of asub-pixel SPix is given by the following equation (1):S1=WD1×LN1  (1)

On the other hand, an area of a portion PRT1 of a sub-pixel SPix whichoverlaps either of the plurality of detecting electrodes TDL or theplurality dummy electrodes TDD in a plan view is defined to be an areaS2, and an a ratio of the area S2 with respect to the area S1 of thesub-pixel SPix is defined to be a ratio R1. At this time, the ratio R1is given by the following equation (2):R1=S2/S1  (2)

In this respect, as shown in FIG. 11, the display 1 (see FIG. 5)includes a plurality of light shielding portions BM1 and a plurality oflight shielding portions BM2. Each of the plurality of light shieldingportions BM1 is formed to overlap the scanning lines GCL (see FIG. 7) ina plan view, extends in an X axis direction and has light shieldingproperties with respect to visible light. Each of the plurality of lightshielding portions BM2 is formed to overlap the signal lines SGL (seeFIG. 7) in a plan view, extends in a Y axis direction and has lightshielding properties with respect to visible light. The plurality oflight shielding portions BM1 and the plurality of light shieldingportions BM2 intersect with each other in a plan view, and the pluralityof light shielding portions BM1 and the plurality of light shieldingportions BM2 which intersect with each other in a plan view have alattice-like form. Each of the plurality of sub-pixels SPix is dividedby the plurality of light shielding portions BM1 and the plurality oflight shielding portions BM2 which intersect with each other in a planview and which have a lattice-like form. Accordingly, the area S1 of thesub-pixel SPix indicates an area of a region which is surrounded by thelight shielding portion BM1 and the light shielding portion BM2, anddoes not include the area of the light shielding portion BM1 and thearea of the light shielding portion BM2.

The area S2 of a sub-pixel SPix which does not overlap any of theplurality of detecting electrodes TDL and which does not overlap any ofthe plurality of dummy electrodes TDD will be zero. Accordingly, theratio R1 which is given by the above equation (2) will be zero.

In the entire display region Ad, the total sum of areas S1 of each ofthe plurality of sub-pixels SPix aligned in a matrix-like form in the Xaxis direction and the Y axis direction is defined to be an area S3.Then, in the entire display region Ad, the total sum of areas ofportions PRT1 of the plurality of sub-pixels SPix which overlap theconductive pattern CB1 including the plurality of detecting electrodesTDL and the plurality of dummy electrodes TDD in a plan view is definedto be an area S4, and a ratio of the area S4 with respect to the area S3is defined to be an area ratio R2. At this time, the area ratio R2 isgiven by the following equation (3):R2=S4/S3  (3)

In the display 1 according to the first embodiment, the area ratio R2given by the above equation (3) is 1 to 22%. Namely, in the display 1according to the first embodiment, the ratio of the total sum of areasof portions of the plurality of sub-pixels SPix that overlap theconductive pattern CB1 including the plurality of detecting electrodesTDL and the plurality of dummy electrodes TDD in a plan view to thetotal sum of the areas of the plurality of sub-pixels SPix is 1 to 22%.With this arrangement, the transmittance of the entire display regionAd, namely the transmittance of the display 1 can be made to be not lessthan 90% even when the transmittance with respect to visible light ofthe plurality of conductive lines ML themselves is not more than 10%. Itis further possible to prevent or restrict that detected values of thedetecting signals Vdet (see FIG. 4) become small. Accordingly, it ispossible to improve the transmittance of the display region with respectto visible light in a display including an input device and to improvethe detection performance of the input device.

In this respect, it is also possible that only the detecting electrodesTDL are provided while the dummy electrodes TDD are not provided in thedisplay region Ad. Namely, the conductive pattern CB1 might include thedetecting electrodes TDL only. At this time, the area S2 will be an areaof a portion PRT1 of a sub-pixel SPix which overlaps any of theplurality of detecting electrodes TDL in a plan view, and the area S4will be a total sum of areas of portions PRT1 of the plurality ofsub-pixels SPix which overlap any of the plurality of detectingelectrodes TDL in a plan view. The area ratio R2 is a ratio of the totalsum of areas of portions of the plurality of sub-pixels SPix whichoverlap any of the plurality of detecting electrodes TDL in a plan viewto the total sum of areas of the plurality of sub-pixels SPix. Further,also in case no dummy electrodes TDD are provided and only the detectingelectrodes TDL are provided, the area ratio R2 is similarly 1 to 22%.Namely, a preferable range for the area rate R2 of the conductivepattern CB1 incase only the detecting electrodes TDL are provided whileno dummy electrodes TDD are provided is the same as the preferable rangefor the area rate R2 of the conductive pattern CB1 in case the detectingelectrodes TDL and the dummy electrodes TDD are provided.

A preferable range of the area ratio of the detecting electrodes TDL incase of the display 1 of the first embodiment, namely when the detectingelectrodes TDL include the conductive lines ML having a zigzag shape,will now be explained. Here, a plurality of displays were provided suchthat area ratios R2 is ranged from 0.49 to 24.58%. The displays wereused to evaluate transmittance in the display regions Ad, detectedvalues of the detecting signals and visibility.

Cases with area ratios R2 of less than 1% were defined to be ComparativeExamples 1 to 3, cases with area ratios R2 of 1 to 22% were defined toExamples 1 to 25 and cases with area ratios R2 exceeding 22% weredefined to be Comparative Examples 4 to 6. For evaluating visibility,evaluations were made whether the visibility was favorable without anyproblems in images displayed in the display region Ad by visible lightbeing reflected by the detecting electrodes TDL or the dummy electrodesTDD or not, namely whether the reflection appearance was favorable ornot.

More specifically, it was evaluated whether the detecting electrodes TDLor the dummy electrodes TDD were visible in stripe-like form, namely inlinear form, namely whether reflection stripes were observed in imagesdisplayed in the display regions AD due to the fact that visible lightwas reflected by the detecting electrodes TDL or the dummy electrodesTDD when the detecting electrodes TDL had a zigzag form. The evaluationresults are shown in Table 1. The relationships between area ratio anddetected value in Table 1 are shown in the graph of FIG. 12. Thehorizontal axis of FIG. 12 shows the area ratio R2 while thelongitudinal axis of FIG. 12 shows the detected values.

TABLE 1 AREA TRANS- DETECTED RATIO MITTANCE VALUE VISIBILITY (%) (%)(a.u.) EVALUATION COMPARATIVE 0.49 99.8 54 ⊚ EXAMPLE 1 COMPARATIVE 0.7899.6 81 ⊚ EXAMPLE 2 COMPARATIVE 0.97 99.5 92 ⊚ EXAMPLE 3 EXAMPLE 1 1.0499.5 101 ⊚ EXAMPLE 2 1.11 99.4 115 ⊚ EXAMPLE 3 1.23 99.4 120 ⊚ EXAMPLE 41.34 99.3 121 ⊚ EXAMPLE 5 1.55 99.2 122 ⊚ EXAMPLE 6 1.92 99.0 120 ⊚EXAMPLE 7 2.11 99.2 124 ⊚ EXAMPLE 8 2.43 98.8 121 ⊚ EXAMPLE 9 2.52 98.6123 ⊚ EXAMPLE 10 3.71 98.3 123 ⊚ EXAMPLE 11 4.29 98.2 120 ⊚ EXAMPLE 124.89 97.9 120 ⊚ EXAMPLE 13 5.13 97.4 123 ○ (REFLECTION STRIPE) EXAMPLE14 5.91 97.7 121 ○ (REFLECTION STRIPE) EXAMPLE 15 6.99 97.5 122 ○(REFLECTION STRIPE) EXAMPLE 16 8.06 97.2 124 ○ (REFLECTION STRIPE)EXAMPLE 17 9.48 96.4 120 ○ (REFLECTION STRIPE) EXAMPLE 18 10.31 95.8 123○ (REFLECTION STRIPE) EXAMPLE 19 10.89 95.3 121 ○ (REFLECTION STRIPE)EXAMPLE 20 11.41 95.2 120 Δ (REFLECTION STRIPE) EXAMPLE 21 12.58 94.2123 Δ (REFLECTION STRIPE) EXAMPLE 22 14.99 93.5 121 Δ (REFLECTIONSTRIPE) EXAMPLE 23 17.65 91.8 122 Δ (REFLECTION STRIPE) EXAMPLE 24 19.6191.1 124 Δ (REFLECTION STRIPE) EXAMPLE 25 21.88 90.3 125 Δ (REFLECTIONSTRIPE) COMPARATIVE 22.13 89.9 124 Δ (REFLECTION STRIPE) EXAMPLE 4COMPARATIVE 23.78 89.1 122 Δ (REFLECTION STRIPE) EXAMPLE 5 COMPARATIVE24.58 88.7 123 Δ (REFLECTION STRIPE) EXAMPLE 6

In Table 1, when no reflection stripes were observed in the imagesdisplayed in the display region Ad and the visibility of the images wasfavorable, it was marked with a double circle. When some reflectionstripes were observed in the images displayed in the display region Adbut the reflection stripes did not stand out and the visibility of theimages was acceptable, it was marked with a circle (reflection stripe)”.When reflection stripes were observed in the images displayed in thedisplay region Ad, the reflection stripes stood out and the visibilityof the images was not acceptable, it was marked with a triangle(reflection stripe).

As shown in Table 1, when the area ratio R2 is 0.49 to 24.58%(Comparative Examples 1 to 3, Examples 1 to 25 and Comparative Examples4 to 6), the transmittance of the display region Ad reduces accompanyingincreases in the area ratio R2. Namely, accompanying increases in theratio of the total sum of areas of portions of the plurality ofsub-pixels SPix which overlap any of the conductive pattern CB1including the plurality of detecting electrodes TDL and the plurality ofdummy electrodes TDD in a plan view to the total sum of areas of theplurality of sub-pixels SPix, the transmittance of the display region Adis degraded. On the other hand, it is desirable that the transmittanceof the display region Ad is not less than 90%. Accordingly, the arearatio R2 is preferably not more than 22%.

Further, as shown in Table 1 and FIG. 12, when the area ratio R2 is 1.2to 24.58% (Examples 3 to 25 and Comparative Examples 4 to 6), thedetected values are not dependent on the area ratio R2 and are constant.This is considered to be due to the fact that differentials ofelectrostatic capacity between the conductive lines ML and the drivingelectrodes COML due to presence/absence of touches are not dependent onthe area ratio R2 but are constant when the area ratio R2 is 1.2 to24.58%.

However, when the area ratio R2 is not less than 1.0% and less than 1.2%(Examples 1 and 2), the detected values start to reduce accompanyingreductions in the area ratio R2, and when the area ratio R2 is not lessthan 0.49% and less than 1.0% (Comparative Examples 1 to 3), thedetected values abruptly reduce accompanying reductions in the arearatio R2. This is considered to be due to the fact that theelectrostatic capacity between the conductive lines ML and the drivingelectrodes COML is reduced due to reduction of the area ratio R2, sothat the strength of the detecting signals Vdet becomes small.

Moreover, as shown in Table 1, when the area ratio is 0.49 to 5%(Comparative Examples 1 to 3 and Examples 1 to 12), no reflectionstripes are observed in images displayed in the display region Ad, andthe visibility is favorable. When the area ratio exceeds 5% and is notmore than 11% (Examples 13 to 19), some reflection stripes are observedin images displayed in the display region Ad but the reflection stripesdo not stand out and the visibility is acceptable. When the area ratioexceeds 11% (Examples 20 to 25 and Comparative Examples 4 to 6),reflection stripes are observed in images displayed in the displayregion Ad and the reflection stripes stand out, and the visibility isnot acceptable.

From the results of the Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the Examples 1 to25 and the Comparative Examples 4 to 6, the ratio of the total sum ofareas of portions of the plurality of sub-pixels SPix which overlap anyof the plurality of detecting electrodes TDL and the plurality of dummyelectrodes TDD in a plan view to the total sum of areas of the pluralityof sub-pixels SPix, namely the area ratio R2 is preferably 1 to 22%.

When the area ratio R2 is less than 1%, it might happen that thedetected values of the detecting signals Vdet are extremely small.Further, when the area ratio R2 exceeds 22%, it might happen that thetransmittance of the display region Ad becomes less than 90%. On theother hand, by defining the area ratio R2 to be 1 to 22%, it is possibleto make the transmittance in the display region Ad be not less than 90%while the detected values of the detecting signals Vdet become not toosmall. Accordingly, in a display including an input device, it ispossible to improve the transmittance of the display region with respectto visible light and to improve the detection performance of the inputdevice.

Further, when the detecting electrodes TDL include conductive lines MLwith a zigzag form, the area ratio R2 is more preferably 1 to 11%. Withthis arrangement, it is possible to prevent and restrict that reflectionstripes are observed in images displayed in the display region Ad andthat the visibility of images is deteriorated.

When the detecting electrodes TDL include conductive lines ML with azigzag form, the area ratio R2 is even more preferably 1.2 to 5%. Withthis arrangement, it is possible to further prevent and restrict thatreflection stripes are observed in images displayed in the displayregion Ad and that the visibility of images is deteriorated.

In this respect, in Examples 1 to 25 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6,the area ratio R2 was changed in a state the ratio of the area of thedetecting electrodes TDL and the area of the dummy electrodes TDD wasset to 1:2. On the other hand, the same results as the above-describedresults were obtained also when the ratio of the area of the detectingelectrodes TDL and the area of the dummy electrodes TDD was changed tovarious values. Further, also when no dummy electrodes TDD were providedand only the detecting electrodes TDL were provided, the same results asthe above-described results were obtained. Accordingly, the preferablerange for the area ratio R2 in case no dummy electrodes TDD are providedand the conductive pattern CB1 including only the detecting electrodesTDL is provided is the same as the preferable range for the area ratioR2 in case the conductive pattern CB1 including the detecting electrodesTDL and the dummy electrodes TDD is provided.

<Movements of Static Electricity in Display Device with Touch DetectionFunctions>

Next, movements of static electricity in the display device with touchdetection functions 10 will be explained. FIG. 13 is a sectional viewschematically showing movements of static electricity in the displaydevice with touch detection functions of the display according to thefirst embodiment.

In the display device with touch detection functions 10, uponapplication of static electricity SE to, for instance, the cover layer55 which is the surface of the polarizing plate 5 from the exterior ofthe display device with touch detection functions 10, the staticelectricity SE is first moved to the conductive layer 52 through thecover layer 55, the polarizing layer 54 and the cover layer 53. When thestatic electricity SE is moved to the conductive layer 52, the staticelectricity SE is disposed in the conductive layer 52 depending on thedistribution of the plurality of capacities CP1 respectively formedbetween each of the plurality of detecting electrodes TDL and theconductive layer 52. Thereafter, the static electricity SE is moved toeach of the plurality of detecting electrodes TDL through the protectionlayer 33 having a resistance RS1.

The static electricity SE moved to each of the plurality of detectingelectrodes TDL is then moved through the detecting electrodes TDL, therouting wirings WRT, the terminal unit TM and the wiring substrate WS(see FIG. 5). The static electricity SE moved through the wiringsubstrate WS is then moved to a grounding line or the like of thedisplay device with touch detection functions 10 through a resistanceRS0 connected to an input terminal of the touch detection unit 40 (seeFIG. 1) or an ESD (Electro-Static Discharge) protection circuit (notshown). With this arrangement, it is possible to discharge staticelectricity SE applied to the display device with touch detectionfunctions 10 to the exterior of the display device with touch detectionfunctions 10.

When the conductive layer 52 is not provided, it might happen that, forinstance, the surface of the polarizing plate 5 is charged throughstatic electricity applied from the exterior of the display device withtouch detection functions 10 and that the oriented state of liquidcrystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 6 is disturbed by anelectric field caused through the static electricity, thereby causingdisturbances in display of images.

On the other hand, since static electricity applied to the displaydevice with touch detection functions 10 from the exterior thereof canbe easily discharged to the exterior of the display device with touchdetection functions 10 by providing the conductive layer 52, it ispossible to reduce disturbances in display of images upon application ofstatic electricity to the display device with touch detection functions10.

The conductive layer 52 is preferably disposed to cover the surface ofthe opposing substrate 3 in the entire region of the display region Adas shown in FIG. 6. With this arrangement, since static electricityapplied to the display device with touch detection functions 10 can beeasily discharged to the exterior of the display device with touchdetection functions 10 in the entire region of the display region Ad, itis possible to easily reduce disturbances in display of images uponapplication of static electricity to the display device with touchdetection functions 10.

The conductive layer 52 might also be disposed to cover the uppersurface of the substrate 31 included in the opposing substrate 3 in aregion including the entire region of the display region Ad. Forinstance, the conductive layer 52 might be disposed to cover a circuitprovided on the upper surface of the substrate 31 (not shown) includedin the opposing substrate 3 in the peripheral region As. With thisarrangement, it is possible to prevent breakdown of the circuit providedon the upper surface of the substrate 31 included in the opposingsubstrate 3 in the peripheral region As, also in case static electricityis applied to the display device with touch detection functions 10 atthe time of manufacture. Further, it is possible to reduce malfunctionsof the circuit provided on the upper surface of the substrate 31included in the opposing substrate 3 in the peripheral region As, alsoin case static electricity is applied to the display device with touchdetection functions 10 at the time of use.

It is desirable that the resistance of the conductive layer 52 issufficiently low such that static electricity moved to the conductivelayer 52 can be easily disposed within the conductive layer 52 inaccordance with the distribution of the plurality of capacities CP1respectively formed between each of the plurality of detectingelectrodes TDL and the conductive layer 52. Namely, from a standpoint ofESD measures, there is an upper limit value for the resistance of theconductive layer 52.

For instance, when the sheet resistance of the conductive layer 52exceeds 1×10¹³ Ω/square, static electricity moved to the conductivelayer 52 cannot be easily disposed within the conductive layer 52 inaccordance with the distribution of the plurality of capacities CP1.Accordingly, it is desirable that the sheet resistance of the conductivelayer 52 is not more than 1×10¹³ Ω/square. With this arrangement, staticelectricity can be easily moved within the conductive layer 52, so thatstatic electricity moved to the conductive layer 52 is easily disposedwithin the conductive layer 52 in accordance with the distribution ofthe plurality of capacities CP1 respectively formed between each of theplurality of detecting electrodes TDL and the conductive layer 52.

On the other hand, when the resistance of the conductive layer 52 is toolow, it might happen that the touch detection sensitivity is degraded.As shown in FIG. 8, the display device with touch detection functions 10detects touch using the fact that electrostatic capacities between thedriving electrodes COML and the detecting electrodes TDL change by meansof an object approaching from the exterior. Accordingly, when theresistance of the conductive layer 52 disposed between the detectingelectrodes TDL and the object approaching from the exterior is too low,the conductive layer 52 will function as a shield and theabove-described electrostatic capacity will be hardly changed throughthe object approaching from the exterior. In other words, touchcomponents indicative of presence/absence of touch will be attenuated bythe shield in the detecting signals Vdet, so that the S/N ratio and thusthe touch detection sensitivity are degraded. In this manner, from astandpoint of touch detection sensitivity, there is a lower limit valuefor the resistance of the conductive layer 52.

In order to prevent attenuation of the detecting signals Vdet by theconductive layer 52, namely, in order to set a high S/N ratio, it isnecessary to make the change in voltage of the conductive layer 52 to besufficiently small when the detecting signals Vdet change in accordancewith transitions of the driving signals Vcom, for instance, as shown inFIG. 4. Here, the larger a time constant τ of the conductive layer 52is, the smaller the change in voltage of the conductive layer 52 willbe. Accordingly, in order to set a high S/N ratio for the detectingsignals Vdet, it is necessary that the time constant τ of the conductivelayer 52 is sufficiently large.

For instance, when the sheet resistance of the conductive layer 52 isnot more than the sheet resistance of the conductive pattern CB1, theS/N ratio for the detecting signals Vdet remarkably decreases.Accordingly, it is preferable that the sheet resistance of theconductive layer 52 is higher than the sheet resistance of theconductive pattern CB1. With this arrangement, it is possible to improvethe S/N ratio for the detecting signals Vdet.

Further, also in case the sheet resistance of the conductive layer 52 ishigher than the sheet resistance of the conductive pattern CB1, it mighthappen that the S/N ratio for the detecting signals Vdet is decreasedand that the time constant τ of the conductive layer 52 becomes smallwhen the sheet resistance of the conductive layer 52 is less than 1×10⁸Ω/square. Accordingly, it is more preferable that the sheet resistanceof the conductive layer 52 is not less than 1×10⁸ Ω/square. With thisarrangement, it is possible to reliably increase the S/N ratio of thedetecting signals Vdet.

Accordingly, the sheet resistance of the conductive layer 52 ispreferably 1×10⁸ to 1×¹³ Ω/square.

In this respect, as described above, effects on the S/N ratio of theconductive layer 52 will be the same irrespective of the touched portionwithin the display region Ad when the conductive layer 52 is disposed tocover the upper surface of the substrate 31 included in the opposingsubstrate 3 in the entire region of the display region Ad. With thisarrangement, it is possible to reduce variations in touch detectionsensitivity depending on positions of touch in the display device withtouch detection functions 10.

<Relationship Between Easiness of Mobility of Static Electricity andTransmittance>

Next, a relationship between easiness of mobility of static electricityapplied to the display device with touch detection functions andtransmittance will be explained through comparison with a display devicewith touch detection functions 110 of Comparative Example 7. FIG. 14 isa sectional view schematically showing movements of static electricityin the display device with touch detection functions of the display ofComparative Example 7. FIG. 15 is a graph schematically showingrelationships between sheet resistance of the conductive pattern andtransmittance. FIG. 16 is a graph schematically showing relationships ofarea ratio of the conductive pattern and transmittance. FIG. 15 and FIG.16 show a case where the conductive pattern is made of a transparentconductive material (Comparative Example 7) and a case where theconductive pattern is made of a low resistance material having aspecific resistance lower than that of the transparent conductivematerial (First Embodiment). In this respect, FIG. 15 shows a case inwhich the area ratio of a conductive pattern CB101 of ComparativeExample 7 and the area ratio of the conductive pattern CB1 of the firstembodiment are substantially identical.

In the display 101 of Comparative Example 7, the display device withtouch detection functions 110 includes an array substrate 2, an opposingsubstrate 3, a polarizing plate 4, a polarizing plate 5, a liquidcrystal layer 6 and a sealing portion 7. The array substrate 2, thepolarizing plate 4, the polarizing plate 5, the liquid crystal layer 6and the sealing portion 7 of the display device with touch detectionfunctions 101 of Comparative Example 7 are the same as the arraysubstrate 2, the polarizing plate 4, the polarizing plate 5, the liquidcrystal layer 6 and the sealing portion 7 of the display 1 of the firstembodiment.

On the other hand, in the display 110 of Comparative Example 7, theopposing substrate 3 includes a substrate 31, a color filter layer 32,the conductive pattern CB101 and a protection layer 33. The substrate31, the color filter layer 32 and the protection layer 33 of the display101 of Comparative Example 7 are the same as the substrate 31, the colorfilter layer 32 and the protection layer 33 of the display 1 of thefirst embodiment.

In the display 101 of Comparative Example 7, the conductive patternCB101 includes a plurality of detecting electrodes TDL100 and aplurality of dummy electrodes TDD100. The conductive pattern CB101 ismade of a transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO.

Similarly to the first embodiment, upon application of staticelectricity SE to, for instance, the cover layer 55 which is the surfaceof the polarizing plate 5 from the exterior of the display device withtouch detection functions 110, the static electricity SE is first movedto the conductive layer 52 through the cover layer 55, the polarizinglayer 54 and the cover layer 53 also in Comparative Example 7. When thestatic electricity SE is moved to the conductive layer 52, the staticelectricity SE is disposed in the conductive layer 52 depending on thedistribution of the plurality of capacities CP101 respectively formedbetween each of the plurality of detecting electrodes TDL100 and theconductive layer 52. Thereafter, the static electricity SE is moved tothe detecting electrodes TDL100 through the protection layer 33 having aresistance RS101.

However, in the Comparative Example 7, the detecting electrodes TDL100are made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO. Thespecific resistance of a transparent conductive material such as ITO orIZO is not less than ten times the specific resistance of metal such asaluminum (Al) or copper (Cu), namely higher by one digit or more.Therefore, it is not easy to lower the sheet resistance of the detectingelectrodes TDL100.

Accordingly, it is difficult to move static electricity SE moved to thedetecting electrodes TDL 100 to the exterior of the display device withtouch detection functions 110 through the detecting electrodes TDL100.Namely, in the display device with touch detection functions 110, it isdifficult to discharge static electricity SE applied to the displaydevice with touch detection functions 110 to the exterior of the displaydevice with touch detection functions 110.

As described above, the specific resistance of the transparentconductive material is not less than ten times the specific resistanceof the low resistance material such as a metallic layer, namely higherby one digit or more. Accordingly, it is necessary to reduce the sheetresistance of the detecting electrodes TDL100 and to make the thicknessof the detecting electrodes TDL100 large such that static electricity SEcan be easily discharged to the exterior of the display device withtouch detection functions 110 in the display device with touch detectionfunctions 110 of Comparative Example 7. Namely, it is necessary toreduce the sheet resistance of the conductive pattern CB101 byincreasing the thickness of the conductive pattern CB101 including theplurality of detecting electrodes TDL100 and the plurality of dummyelectrodes TDD100 in the display device with touch detection functions110 of Comparative Example 7.

However, as shown in FIG. 15, the more the sheet resistance of theconductive pattern CB101 is reduced, namely, the more the thickness ofthe conductive pattern CB101 is increased, the more the transmittance ofthe display device with touch detection functions 110 of ComparativeExample 7 is degraded and optical properties of the display device withtouch detection functions 110 are deteriorated.

Further, in Comparative Example 7, it is necessary to increase the arearatio of the detecting electrodes TDL100 for easily discharging staticelectricity SE to the exterior of the display device with touchdetection functions 110. Namely, in the display device with touchdetection functions 110 of Comparative Example 7, it is necessary toincrease the area ratio of the conductive pattern CB101 including theplurality of detecting electrodes TDL100 and the plurality of dummyelectrodes TDD100.

However, as shown in FIG. 16, the larger the area ratio of theconductive pattern CB101 is, the more the transmittance of the displaydevice with touch detection functions 110 of Comparative Example 7 isdegraded and optical properties of the display device with touchdetection functions 110 are deteriorated.

Moreover, when the conductive pattern CB101 is made of a transparentconductive material such as ITO or IZO, ultraviolet light having awavelength in the range of, for instance, 200 to 380 nm and purple lightand blue light having a wavelength in the range of, for instance, 380 to495 nm from among visible light are absorbed when visible light passesthrough the conductive pattern CB101. Therefore, when the conductivepattern CB101 is made of a transparent conductive material such as ITOor IZO, light passing through the display device with touch detectionfunctions 110 of Comparative Example 7 is colored yellow.

Accordingly, the larger the thickness of the conductive pattern CB101is, that is, the more the sheet resistance of the conductive patternCB101 is degraded, the lower the transmittance of the display devicewith touch detection functions 110 becomes, light transmitted throughthe display device with touch detection functions 110 is colored yellow,and optical properties of the display device with touch detectionfunctions 110 are deteriorated. Further, the larger the area ratio ofthe conductive pattern CB101 becomes, the more the transmittance of thedisplay device with touch detection functions 110 is degraded, lighttransmitted through the display device with touch detection functions110 is colored yellow, and optical properties of the display device withtouch detection functions 110 are deteriorated. Accordingly, it isdifficult to reduce disturbances in display of images due to staticelectricity without deteriorating optical properties in the displaydevice with touch detection functions 110 of Comparative Example 7.

In this respect, when the display 101 of Comparative Example 7 does notinclude a touch panel as an input device, the conductive lines MLincluded in the conductive pattern CB101 are not detecting electrodesand input positions are not detected based on the electrostatic capacityof the conductive lines ML. However, also in such a case, when theconductive pattern CB101 is made of a transparent conductive materialsuch as ITO or IZO, it is necessary to increase the thickness of theconductive pattern CB101 or to increase the area ratio of the conductivepattern CB101 for easily discharging static electricity through theconductive pattern CB101. However, the transmittance of the display 101is degraded and optical properties of the display 101 are deterioratedeven when the thickness of the conductive pattern CB101 is increased andthe area ratio of the conductive pattern CB101 is increased.Accordingly, it is difficult to reduce disturbances in display of imagesdue to static electricity without deteriorating optical properties.

<Main Features and Effects of the Present Embodiment>

The display device with touch detection functions 10 according to thefirst embodiment includes the conductive pattern CB1 provided on thesurface of the substrate 31, the protection layer 33 provided on theupper surface of the substrate 31 to cover the conductive pattern CB1,and the conductive layer 52 provided on the protection layer 33. Thesheet resistance of the conductive pattern CB1 is not more than 8Ω/square. The ratio of the total sum of areas of portions of theplurality of the sub-pixels SPix that overlap the conductive pattern CB1in a plan view to the total sum of the areas of the plurality ofsub-pixels SPix is 1 to 22%. Further, the sheet resistance of theconductive layer 52 is higher than the sheet resistance of theconductive pattern CB1.

With this arrangement, static electricity applied from the exterior ofthe display device with touch detection functions 10 can be easilydischarged to the exterior of the display device with touch detectionfunctions 10, so that disturbances in display of images upon applicationof static electricity to the display device with touch detectionfunctions 10 can be reduced. Further, it is possible to preventbreakdown of the circuit provided on the upper surface of the substrate31 included in the opposing substrate 3 in the peripheral region As alsoupon application of static electricity at the time of manufacture of thedisplay device with touch detection functions 10. Moreover, it ispossible to prevent malfunctions of the circuit provided on the uppersurface of the substrate 31 included in the opposing substrate 3 in theperipheral region As also upon application of static electricity at thetime of using the display device with touch detection functions 10.

Also in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the more thethickness of the conductive pattern CB1 is increased, namely the morethe sheet resistance of the conductive pattern CB1 is reduced, the morethe transmittance of the display device with touch detection functions10 is degraded. Further, as described above, while the transparentconductive material is transparent with respect to visible light, metalexhibits light shielding properties with respect to visible light.Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 15, when the area ratio of the conductivepattern CB101 and the area ratio of the conductive pattern CB1 aresubstantially identical and the sheet resistances are also identical,the transmittance of the display device with touch detection functions110 of Comparative Example 7 is higher than the transmittance of thedisplay device with touch detection functions 10 of the firstembodiment.

However, the specific resistance of the low resistance material of, forinstance, the metallic layer is not more than 1/10 of the specificresistance of the transparent conductive material and thus lower by onedigit or more. Accordingly, it is possible to easily reduce the arearatio of the conductive pattern CB1 than the area ratio of theconductive pattern CB101 also in a state the sheet resistance of theconductive pattern CB1 is lower than the sheet resistance of theconductive pattern CB101. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the area ratioof the conductive pattern CB1 can be set to not more than 22%, and thusthe transmittance of the display device with touch detection functions10 can be set to not less than 90% as it has been described above usingFIG. 11, FIG. 12 and Table 1.

In this manner, in the display device with touch detection functions 10of the first embodiment, since the specific resistance of the lowresistance material of, for instance, the metallic layer is sufficientlylower than the specific resistance of the transparent conductivematerial, it is not necessary to increase the thickness of the detectingelectrodes TDL that much for easily discharging static electricity tothe exterior of the display device with touch detection functions 10.Namely, in the display device with touch detection functions 10 of thefirst embodiment, it is not necessary to increase the thickness of theconductive pattern CB1 for easily discharging static electricity to theexterior of the display device with touch detection functions 10.Therefore, the transmittance of the display device with touch detectionfunctions 10 is hardly degraded.

Further, in the display device with touch detection functions 10 of thefirst embodiment, since the specific resistance of the low resistancematerial of, for instance, the metallic layer is lower than the specificresistance of the transparent conductive material, it is not necessaryto increase the area ratio of the detecting electrodes TDL for easilydischarging static electricity to the exterior of the display devicewith touch detection functions 10. Namely, in the display device withtouch detection functions 10 of the first embodiment, it is notnecessary to increase the area ratio of the conductive pattern CB1 foreasily discharging static electricity to the exterior of the displaydevice with touch detection functions 10. Therefore, the transmittanceof the display device with touch detection functions 10 is hardlydegraded.

Accordingly, in the first embodiment, since the specific resistance ofthe low resistance material included in the conductive pattern CB1 islower than the specific resistance of the transparent conductivematerial, it is not necessary to increase the thickness of theconductive pattern CB1 and it is not necessary to increase the arearatio of the conductive pattern CB1. Therefore, in the first embodiment,it is possible to prevent that the transmittance of the display devicewith touch detection functions 10 with respect to visible light isdegraded to less than 90% and to prevent or restrict that visible lightpassing through the display device with touch detection functions 10 iscolored yellow. Consequently, according to the first embodiment, it ispossible to reduce disturbances of display of images due to staticelectricity without deteriorating optical properties.

In this respect, the display 1 of the first embodiment does notnecessarily include a touch panel as an input device. In such a case,the display 1 does not include a detection unit which detects inputpositions and the conductive lines ML included in the conductive patternCB1 are not detecting electrodes and input positions are not detectedbased on the electrostatic capacity of the conductive lines ML. However,also in such a case, according to the display of the first embodiment,it is possible to reduce disturbances of display of images due to staticelectricity without deteriorating optical properties.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, static electricity applied from the exterior ofthe display device with touch detection functions is discharged to theexterior of the display through the conductive pattern provided in thedisplay region. In contrast thereto, in the second embodiment, staticelectricity applied from the exterior of the display with touchdetection functions is discharged to the exterior of the display throughthe conductive pattern provided in the display region and through theconductive pattern provided in the peripheral region.

The overall configuration of the display of the second embodiment mightbe the same as the overall configuration of the display of the firstembodiment and explanations thereof will be omitted.

<Display Device with Touch Detection Functions>

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing one example of a module mounted with thedisplay according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a sectional viewshowing a display device with touch detection functions of the displayaccording to the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a sectional viewschematically showing movements of static electricity in the displaydevice with touch detection functions of the display according to thesecond embodiment. FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are sectional views along lineA-A in FIG. 17. In this respect, in FIG. 17, illustration of the routingwirings WRC (see FIG. 5) is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 17, the display device with touch detection functions10 according to the second embodiment includes a substrate 21, asubstrate 31, a plurality of driving electrodes COML and a plurality ofdetecting electrodes TDL, similarly to the first embodiment.

Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the display device with touch detectionfunctions 10 according to the second embodiment includes an arraysubstrate 2, an opposing substrate 3, a polarizing plate 4, a polarizingplate 5, a liquid crystal layer 6 and a sealing portion 7. The arraysubstrate 2, the polarizing plate 4, the polarizing plate 5, the liquidcrystal layer 6 and the sealing portion 7 of the second embodiment arethe same as the respective portions of the array substrate 2, thepolarizing plate 4, the polarizing plate 5, the liquid crystal layer 6and the sealing portion 7 of the first embodiment, and explanationsthereof are omitted.

In the second embodiment, the opposing substrate 3 includes a substrate31, a color filter layer 32, a conductive pattern CB1 and a protectionlayer 33. The substrate 31, the color filter layer 32, the conductivepattern CB1 and the protection layer 33 in the display region Ad of thesecond embodiment are the same as the substrate 31, the color filterlayer 32, the conductive pattern CB1 and the protection layer 33 of thedisplay region Ad of the first embodiment.

Unlike the first embodiment, the opposing substrate 3 includes aconductive pattern CB2 in addition to the conductive pattern CB1 in thesecond embodiment. The conductive pattern CB2 includes a plurality ofwirings WEL as electrodes. Each of the plurality of wirings WEL isprovided on the upper surface of the substrate 31 in the peripheralregion As.

The protection layer 33 is provided in the display region Ad and theperipheral region As. In the display region Ad, the protection layer 33is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 31 to cover aplurality of detecting electrodes TDL. In the peripheral region As, theprotection layer 33 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 31to cover the plurality of wirings WEL.

The polarizing plate 5 is provided on the protection layer 33 in thedisplay region Ad and the peripheral region As. A conductive layer 52 isprovided on the protection layer 33 via an adhesive layer 51 in thedisplay region Ad and the peripheral region As.

The sheet resistance of the conductive layer 52 is higher than the sheetresistance of the conductive pattern CB2. With this arrangement, the S/Nratio of the detecting signals Vdet can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 19, upon application of static electricity SE to, forinstance, a cover layer 55 which is the surface of the polarizing plate5 from the exterior of the display device with touch detection functions10, the static electricity SE is first moved to the conductive layer 52through the cover layer 55, a polarizing layer 54 and a cover layer 53.When the static electricity SE is moved to the conductive layer 52, thestatic electricity SE is disposed in the conductive layer 52 dependingon the distribution of the plurality of capacities CP1 respectivelyformed between each of the plurality of detecting electrodes TDL and theconductive layer 52 and the distribution of a plurality of capacitiesCP2 respectively formed between each of the plurality of wirings WEL andthe conductive layer 52, in the display region Ad and the peripheralregion As. Thereafter, the static electricity SE disposed in theconductive layer 52 in the display region Ad is moved to each of theplurality of detecting electrodes TDL through the protection layer 33having a resistance RS1. Further, static electricity SE disposed in theconductive layer 52 in the peripheral region As is moved to each of theplurality of wirings WEL through the protection layer 33 having aresistance RS2.

The static electricity SE moved to each of the plurality of detectingelectrodes TDL is then moved through the detecting electrodes TDL, therouting wirings WRT, a terminal unit TM and a wiring substrate WS (seeFIG. 17). The static electricity SE moved through the wiring substrateWS is then moved to a grounding line or the like of the display devicewith touch detection functions 10 through a resistance RS0 connected toan input terminal of the touch detection unit 40 (see FIG. 1) or an ESDprotection circuit (not shown). With this arrangement, it is possible todischarge static electricity SE applied to the display device with touchdetection functions 10 to the exterior of the display device with touchdetection functions 10. On the other hand, static electricity SE movedto each of the plurality of wirings WEL can be discharged to theexterior of the display device with touch detection functions 10 throughthe wirings WEL.

Similarly to the conductive pattern CB1, the conductive pattern CB2including the plurality of wirings WEL is made of a low resistancematerial having a specific resistance lower than the specific resistanceof the transparent conductive material which is transparent with respectto visible light such as ITO or IZO. The sheet resistance of theconductive pattern CB2 made of a low resistance material is not morethan 8 Ω/square, similarly to the sheet resistance of the conductivepattern CB1. In this case, it is possible to discharge staticelectricity without increasing the thickness of the conductive patternCB2 that much when compared to a case the conductive pattern CB2including a plurality of wirings WEL is made of a transparent conductivematerial such as ITO or IZO.

In this respect, the sheet resistance of the conductive pattern CB2 isalso preferably not less than 0.04 Ω/square for the same reason as thatof the sheet resistance of the conductive pattern CB1.

Preferably, the conductive pattern CB2 includes a metallic layer or analloy layer. Accordingly, each of the plurality of wirings WEL includedin the conductive pattern CB2 preferably includes a metallic layer or analloy layer. With this arrangement, since the conductivity of each ofthe plurality of wirings WEL can be improved, it is possible to easilydischarge static electricity applied from the exterior of the displaydevice with touch detection functions 10 through the wirings WEL.

More preferably, each of the plurality of wirings WEL includes ametallic layer or an alloy layer of one or more metal selected from agroup consisting of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), molybdenum(Mo), chrome (Cr) and tungsten (W). With this arrangement, theconductivity of each of the plurality of the wirings WEL can be furtherimproved, so that static electricity applied from the exterior of thedisplay device with touch detection functions 10 can be more easilydischarged through the wirings WEL.

Preferably, a ratio of the total sum of areas of portions of theperipheral region As that overlap the conductive pattern CB2 in a planview to the area of the peripheral region As is larger than the ratio ofthe total sum of areas of portions of the plurality of the sub-pixelsSPix that overlap the conductive pattern CB1 in a plan view to the totalsum of the areas of the plurality of sub-pixels SPix. Namely, the arearatio of the conductive pattern CB2 in the peripheral region As islarger than the area ratio of the conductive pattern CB1 with respect tothe sub-pixels SPix in the display region Ad. Here, the area ratio ofthe conductive pattern CB2 in the peripheral region As is a ratio of thearea of the conductive pattern CB2 with respect to the area of theperipheral region As.

Since no images are displayed in the peripheral region As, thetransmittance of the peripheral region As might be higher than thetransmittance of the display region Ad. Therefore, the area ratio of theconductive pattern CB2 in the peripheral region As can be made largerthan the area ratio of the conductive pattern CB1 with respect tosub-pixels SPix in the display region Ad, and the resistance of theconductive pattern CB2 can be made lower than the resistance of theconductive pattern CB1. Accordingly, static electricity SE applied tothe display device with touch detection functions 10 can be easilydischarged to the exterior of the display device with touch detectionfunctions 10 through the conductive pattern CB2.

More preferably, as shown in FIG. 17, the opposing substrate 3 includesa plurality of electrode terminals TWE provided on the upper surface ofthe substrate 31 in the peripheral region As, and the plurality ofwirings WEL are electrically connected to each of the plurality ofelectrode terminals TWE. In such a case, each the plurality of wiringsWEL is electrically connected to the exterior of the substrate 31through each of the plurality of electrode terminals TWE. Accordingly,static electricity SE which has been applied to the display device withtouch detection functions 10 and which has been moved to each of theplurality of wirings WEL are moved to the exterior of the display devicewith touch detection functions 10 through the wirings WEL and theelectrode terminals TWE. With this arrangement, static electricity SEapplied to the display device with touch detection functions 10 can bemore easily discharged to the exterior of the display device with touchdetection functions 10 when compared to the first embodiment.

<Main Features and Effects of the Present Embodiment>

Similarly to the display of the first embodiment, also in the display ofthe second embodiment, the sheet resistance of the conductive patternCB1 is not more than 8 Ω/square. The ratio of the total sum of areas ofportions of the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix that overlap theconductive pattern CB1 in a plan view to the total sum of the areas ofthe plurality of sub-pixels SPix is 1 to 22%. Further, the sheetresistance of the conductive layer 52 is higher than the sheetresistance of the conductive pattern CB1. With this arrangement, it ispossible to reduce disturbances in display of images due to staticelectricity without deteriorating optical properties, similarly to thefirst embodiment.

Further, the display of the second embodiment includes the conductivepattern CB2 including a plurality of wirings WEL formed on the uppersurface of the substrate 31 in the peripheral region As in addition tothe conductive pattern CB1. The ratio of the area of the conductivepattern CB2 with respect to the area of the peripheral region As islarger than the ratio of the total sum of areas of portions of theplurality of the sub-pixels SPix that overlap the conductive pattern CB1in a plan view to the total sum of the areas of the plurality ofsub-pixels SPix.

With this arrangement, static electricity SE applied to the displaydevice with touch detection functions 10 can be easily discharged to theexterior of the display device with touch detection functions 10 throughthe conductive pattern CB2 in addition to the conductive pattern CB1.Accordingly, it is possible to more easily reduce disturbances indisplay of images due to static electricity without deterioratingoptical properties when compared to the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the polarizing plate provided on the oppositeside of the array substrate with the opposing substrate being interposedtherebetween includes a conductive layer. In contrast thereto, in thethird embodiment, the polarizing plate provided on the opposite side ofthe array substrate with the opposing substrate being interposedtherebetween does not include a conductive layer, but a protection layerprovided to cover the conductive pattern functions as a conductivelayer.

The overall configuration of the display of the third embodiment mightbe the same as the overall configuration of the display of the firstembodiment and explanations thereof will be omitted.

<Display Device with Touch Detection Functions>

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a display device with touchdetection functions of the display according to the third embodiment.FIG. 21 is a sectional view schematically showing movements of staticelectricity in the display device with touch detection functions of thedisplay according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 20, the display device with touch detection functions10 according to the third embodiment includes an array substrate 2, anopposing substrate 3, a polarizing plate 4, a polarizing plate 5 a, aliquid crystal layer 6 and a sealing portion 7. The array substrate 2,the polarizing plate 4, the liquid crystal layer 6 and the sealingportion 7 of the third embodiment are the same as the array substrate 2,the polarizing plate 4, the liquid crystal layer 6 and the sealingportion 7 of the first embodiment and explanations thereof are omitted.

In the third embodiment, the opposing substrate 3 includes a substrate31, a color filter layer 32, a conductive pattern CB1 and a protectionlayer 33 a. The substrate 31, the color filter layer 32 and theconductive pattern CB1 of the third embodiment are the same as thesubstrate 31, the color filter layer 32 and the conductive pattern CB1of the first embodiment. Further, the arrangement of the detection unitdetecting input positions based on electrostatic capacities of each ofthe plurality of detecting electrodes TDL included in the conductivepattern CB1 is the same as in the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the conductive layer 52 (see FIG. 6) of thefirst embodiment is not provided. Accordingly, the polarizing plate 5 aincludes an adhesive layer 51, a cover layer 53, a polarizing layer 54and a cover layer 55. Each of the adhesive layer 51, the cover layer 53,the polarizing layer 54 and the cover layer 55 of the polarizing plate 5a might be the same as the adhesive layer 51, the cover layer 53, thepolarizing layer 54 and the cover layer 55 of the polarizing plate 5 ofthe first embodiment. Accordingly, in the third embodiment, thepolarizing plate 5 a includes a stacked film 56 a in which a pluralityof layers including the polarizing layer 54 made of an insulating filmare stacked in some order. The stacked film 56 a is provided on theprotection layer 33 a via the adhesive layer 51.

On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the protection layer 33 aexhibits conductivity. While the sheet resistance of the protectionlayer 33 a is higher than the sheet resistance of the conductive patternCB1, it is lower than the sheet resistance of the protection layer 33 ofthe first embodiment, and it might be of the same level as the sheetresistance of the conductive layer 52 of the first embodiment.

It is possible that the protection layer 33 a is made of a film of resin33 c containing conductive particles 33 b of metal such as silver (Ag).The conductive particles 33 b are dispersed in the resin 33 c as theinsulating film. In such a case, it is possible to easily adjust thesheet resistance of the protection layer 33 a in a wide range byadjusting the amount of content of the conductive particles 33 b withrespect to resin 33 c.

As shown in FIG. 21, upon application of static electricity SE to, forinstance, the cover layer 55 which is the surface of the polarizingplate 5 a from the exterior of the display device with touch detectionfunctions 10, the static electricity SE is moved, for instance, to theprotection layer 33 a through the cover layer 55, a polarizing layer 54,the cover layer 53 and the adhesive layer 51. Thereafter, the staticelectricity SE is moved to each of the plurality of detecting electrodesTDL through the protection layer 33 a having a resistance RS1.

The static electricity SE moved to each of the plurality of detectingelectrodes TDL is moved through the detecting electrodes TDL, routingwirings WRT, a terminal unit TM and a wiring substrate WS (see FIG. 5),similarly to the first embodiment. The static electricity SE movedthrough the wiring substrate WS is then moved to a grounding line or thelike of the display device with touch detection functions 10 through aresistance RS0 connected to an input terminal of the touch detectionunit 40 (see FIG. 1) or an ESD protection circuit (not shown). With thisarrangement, it is possible to discharge static electricity SE appliedto the display device with touch detection functions 10 to the exteriorof the display device with touch detection functions 10.

Preferably, the sheet resistance of the protection layer 33 a is 1×10⁸to 1×10¹³ Ω/square. With the sheet resistance of the protection layer 33a being not less than 1×10⁸ Ω/square, it is possible to reliably improvethe S/N rate of the detecting signals Vdet and to prevent or restrictthat adjoining detecting electrodes TDL short-circuit. Since the sheetresistance of the protection layer 33 a is not more than 1×10¹³Ω/square, static electricity can be easily moved within the protectionlayer 33 a.

<Main Features and Effects of the Present Embodiment>

Similarly to the display of the first embodiment, also in the display ofthe third embodiment, the sheet resistance of the conductive pattern CB1is not more than 8 Ω/square. The ratio of the total sum of areas ofportions of the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix that overlap theconductive pattern CB1 in a plan view to the total sum of the areas ofthe plurality of sub-pixels SPix is 1 to 22%.

On the other hand, the third embodiment is provided with the protectionlayer 33 a instead of the protection layer 33 (see FIG. 6) of the firstembodiment, and while the sheet resistance of the protection layer 33 ais higher than the sheet resistance of the conductive pattern CB1, it islower than the sheet resistance of the protection layer 33 of the firstembodiment, and it might be of the same level as the sheet resistance ofthe conductive layer 52 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 6).

With this arrangement, static electricity applied from the exterior ofthe display device with touch detection functions 10 can be easilydischarged to the exterior of the display device with touch detectionfunctions 10 through the protection layer 33 a and the conductivepattern CB1. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, since thespecific resistance of the low resistance material included in theconductive pattern CB1 is lower than the specific resistance of thetransparent conductive material, it is neither necessary to increase thethickness of the conductive pattern CB1 nor to increase the area ratioof the conductive pattern CB1. Accordingly, similarly to the firstembodiment, it is possible to reduce disturbances in display of imagesdue to static electricity without deteriorating optical properties.

Fourth Embodiment

<Touch Detection Function of Self-Capacity Method>

In the first embodiment, an example has been explained in which a touchpanel of mutual capacity method provided with common electrodesoperating as driving electrodes and with detecting electrodes is appliedas the touch panel provided in the display. However, it is also possibleto apply a touch panel of self-capacity method provided with detectingelectrodes only as the touch panel provided in the display.

FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 are explanatory views showing electrically connectedstates of detecting electrodes of self-capacity method.

In a touch panel of self-capacity method, detecting electrodes TDLhaving an electrostatic capacity Cx are disconnected from a detectioncircuit SC1 having an electrostatic capacity Cr1 as shown in FIG. 22,and upon electric connection to a power source Vdd, electric charge Q1is accumulated in the detecting electrodes TDL having an electrostaticcapacity Cx. Next, when the detecting electrodes TDL having theelectrostatic capacity Cx are disconnected from the power source Vdd andelectrically connected to the detection circuit SC1 having theelectrostatic capacity Cr1 as shown in FIG. 23, electric charge Q2flowing out to the detection circuit SC1 is detected.

Here, when a finger has contacted or approached the detecting electrodesTDL, the electrostatic capacity Cx of the detection electrodes TDLchanges due to the capacity of the finger, and when the detectingelectrodes TDL are connected to the detection circuit SC1, the electriccharge Q2 flowing out to the detection circuit SC1 also changes.Accordingly, by measuring the electric charge Q2 flowing out by thedetection circuit SC1 and detecting changes in the electrostaticcapacity Cx of the detection electrodes TDL, it is possible to determinewhether a finger has contacted or approached the detecting electrodesTDL.

For instance, a case will be considered in which the display accordingto the present embodiment is the display according to the firstembodiment applied to a display with touch detection functions ofself-capacity method. At this time, the display includes a plurality ofdetecting electrodes TDL each extending in the X axis direction andbeing aligned in the Y axis direction at intervals in addition to aplurality of detecting electrodes TDL each extending in the Y axisdirection (see FIG. 5) and being aligned in the X axis direction (seeFIG. 5) at intervals. Also in such a case, it is also possible totwo-dimensionally detect input positions by detecting changes inelectrostatic capacities Cx of each of the plurality of detectingelectrodes TDL extending in the Y axis direction and changes inelectrostatic capacities Cx of each of the plurality of detectingelectrodes TDL extending in the X axis direction. At this time, whilethe driving electrodes COML (see FIG. 5) operate as driving electrodesof the liquid crystal display device 20 (see FIG. 1), they do notoperate as driving electrodes of the touch detection device 30 (see FIG.1).

Also in such a case, it is possible to reduce disturbances in display ofimages due to static electricity without deteriorating opticalproperties, similarly to the first embodiment.

Alternatively, the display of the fourth embodiment might also be thedisplay of the second embodiment or the third embodiment applied to adisplay with touch detection functions of self-capacity method, and alsoin such cases, it is possible to reduce disturbances in display ofimages due to static electricity without deteriorating opticalproperties, similarly to a case in which the display of the firstembodiment is applied.

In the foregoing, the invention made by the inventors of the presentinvention has been concretely described based on the embodiments.However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limitedto the foregoing embodiments and various modifications and alterationscan be made within the scope of the present invention.

In the category of the idea of the present invention, a person withordinary skill in the art can conceive various modified examples andrevised examples, and such modified examples and revised examples arealso deemed to belong to the scope of the present invention.

For example, the examples obtained by appropriately making theadditions, deletions or design changes of components or the additions,deletions or condition changes of processes to respective embodimentsdescribed above by a person with ordinary skill in the art also belongto the scope of the present invention as long as they include the gistof the present invention.

The present invention is effective when applied to displays.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display comprising: a first substrate having afirst main surface; a second substrate having a second main surface anda third main surface on an opposite side of the second main surface andbeing disposed to oppose the first substrate such that the second mainsurface and the first main surface of the first substrate oppose eachother; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first main surfaceof the first substrate and the second main surface of the secondsubstrate; a plurality of pixels provided on the first main surface ofthe first substrate; a plurality of first electrodes respectivelyprovided in each of the plurality of pixels on the first main surface ofthe first substrate; second electrodes provided on the first mainsurface of the first substrate; a first conductive pattern provided onthe third main surface of the second substrate and made of one or morekinds of metals selected from a group including aluminum(Al),cupper(Cu), silver(Ag), molybdenum(Mo), chromium(Cr), and tungsten(W); aprotection layer provided on the third main surface of the secondsubstrate to cover the first conductive pattern; and a detection unitwhich detects input positions based on electrostatic capacities, whereinthe first conductive pattern includes a plurality of third electrodeshaving a mesh-like shape, and a plurality of dummy electrodesrespectively arranged between instances of the third electrodes, theplurality of third electrodes are connected to the detection unit, theplurality of dummy electrodes are not connected to the detection unit,the first conductive pattern is provided on the third main surface ofthe second substrate in a display region of the third main surface ofthe second substrate, the plurality of pixels are disposed in thedisplay region of the third main surface of the second substrate in aplan view, the display further includes a second conductive patternprovided on the third main surface of the second substrate in aperipheral region which is a region of the third main surface outsidethe display region in the plan view, the second conductive patternincluding a plurality of wirings, and a ratio of an area of the secondconductive pattern to an area of the peripheral region in the plan viewis larger than a ratio of a total sum of areas of portions of theplurality of pixels that overlap the first conductive pattern in theplan view to a total sum of areas of the plurality of pixels in the planview.
 2. The display according to claim 1, wherein a specific resistanceof the protection layer is higher than a specific resistance of theconductive layer.
 3. The display according to claim 1, wherein theprotection layer has a thickness which is larger than a thickness of thefirst conductive pattern.
 4. The display according to claim 1, whereinthe plurality of third electrodes are provided at intervals with respectto each other in the plan view, the second electrodes are provided tooverlap each of the plurality of third electrodes in the plan view, andthe detection unit detects input positions based on electrostaticcapacities between each of the plurality of third electrodes and thesecond electrodes.
 5. The display according to claim 1, wherein theprotection layer is provided to cover the first conductive pattern andthe second conductive pattern in the display region and the peripheralregion, a sheet resistance of the second conductive pattern is not morethan 8 Ω/square, and a sheet resistance of the conductive layer ishigher than the sheet resistance of the second conductive pattern. 6.The display according to claim 5, wherein the second conductive patternincludes a plurality of fourth electrodes provided on the third mainsurface of the second substrate in the peripheral region, the displayfurther includes a plurality of electrode terminals provided on thethird main surface of the second substrate in the peripheral region, andthe plurality of fourth electrodes are electrically connected to each ofthe plurality of electrode terminals.
 7. The display according to claim5, wherein the first conductive pattern includes a plurality of fifthelectrodes provided on the third main surface of the second substrate inthe display region.
 8. The display according to claim 7, wherein theplurality of fifth electrodes are provided at intervals with respect toeach other in the plan view, the second electrodes are provided tooverlap each of the plurality of fifth electrodes in the plan view, andthe detection unit detects input positions based on electrostaticcapacities of each of the plurality of the fifth electrodes and thesecond electrodes.